How Social Media Can Affect Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
The legal team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau has built a strong reputation for expert legal counsel, offering clients throughout the greater Daytona Beach area the information and guidance that need for successful resolution of a personal injury lawsuit. We fight diligently on all fronts, which includes helping clients understand how to manage their privacy in the digital age.
We've heard about hacks and information leaks a lot in the last few years. That's part of the new reality that many of us face as we deal with living real life, being wired to our phones and tablets, and maintaining a persona online via social media. Yet there's something else about social media that people pursuing litigation have to keep in mind: there's social, but there's also being too social.
The Internet Is Not as Private as You May Think
While hacking, doxxing, and other overt invasions of privacy on the internet are bad, sometimes we have a tendency to overshare on social media. Long posts, lots of photos, tweets every hour based on irreverant observations. This can leave a person more exposed than they'd prefer, meaning that people may get a much deeper glimpse into your personal life than intended.
When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, too much disclosure can be a very bad thing.
The Dangers of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
When posting photos, sharing links, and checking into locations on social media, people can monitor your life. When there's an injury lawsuit underway, sometimes a photo or a busy day running errands or a long post about what you did can undermine your legal claim.
For instance, if you are seriously injured but a photo goes up on social media of you out and about and having a good time, this can ruin your case. There might be a context to consider, but social media is about immediate impressions, and the optics of this would be seriously damaging.
Using Your LinkedIn Profile for Additional Information
In addition to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pintrest, and other platforms, the defendant in your case or the defendant's legal team may look at your LinkedIn page to note current employment and personal information. They may even seek out people in your LinkedIn network who may disclose information about you.
To Post or Not to Post: Ask Yourself This Question
Ultimately, it's a good idea to follow a simple rule for social media: if you immediately ask yourself "Should I post this?", it's a good idea to NOT post it. Err on the side of caution when it comes to social media, and you can avoid a lot of headaches and embarrassment.
Tips for Managing Social Media During a Lawsuit
In addition to being careful about what you post, be sure that your privacy settings are current and locked down for all of your social media sites. It's also a good idea to ask friends to not post anything about you or your loved ones without your permission, especially during a case. This is a common sense safeguard that can mean a lot in the litigation process.
Speak with the Legal Team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau
To learn more about legal strategies that will help you and your loved ones in the long run, be sure to contact our personal injury law firm today. The team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau are here to provide you with expert counsel.