How to Manage Social Media as a Personal Injury Client

Feb 20,2017

Social media is a great place to share information with friends, watch cute cat videos and get restaurant recommendations—but it’s no place for discussing your personal injury case.

Posts to your social media accounts are considered evidence. Anything you post online can be used in court. In some cases, this can be a good thing. If you are rear-ended by a driver at the same time she was posting on Facebook or Twitter, you have evidence the driver was distracted when she hit you. However, posting about your personal injury case on social media can end up hurting you in the courtroom. Opposing counsel could take the information you disclose on social media out of context and use it against you, which could be detrimental to your case.

Here are 5 tips for managing your social media accounts as a personal injury client:

Give your attorney access to view your social media accounts. This will allow your attorney to make sure you are not posting anything that could negatively impact your case.
Keep your social media profiles private. Make sure only people you approve of can view the content you post.
Refrain from posting about your case on social media. The best way to prevent social media postings from being used against you in court is to keep all information about your case offline. Don’t vent on social media about your situation. Discuss your case privately with your attorney and, if necessary, close family and friends, instead.
Similarly, avoid posting any photos from your case. Opposing counsel could also take these out of context and try to use them against you.
Never delete content from social media. Deleting content that has already been posted could make it appear you are trying to hide something. The opposing party might attempt to use this to discredit you. It might also be considered destroying evidence. The best way to avoid this situation is to refrain from posting any content related to your case.

“We want to make sure our clients receive the best possible help during a personal injury case. Following these social media rules will help them avoid unnecessary hassles in the legal process,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.