After a personal injury, social media may seem like a normal way to update friends and family about your recovery. However, what you post online can impact your case. A lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer, knows that insurance companies often review social media accounts to find information that may be used to challenge claims.

How Insurance Companies Monitor Social Media

Insurance adjusters may look at social media profiles, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, to gather evidence. Even if your account is private, posts made by friends or comments on public pages may still be accessible.

Some of the things they may look for include:

  • Photos or videos that contradict injury claims
  • Check-ins or tagged locations that suggest physical activity
  • Statements about the accident that differ from official reports

The team at Fargo Medical Weight Loss knows that they may also monitor interactions, such as comments from friends, to see if there is anything that downplays the severity of the injury.

How Posts Can Be Used Against You

Even innocent posts can be misinterpreted. If someone claims they are struggling with mobility but later posts a picture at a family gathering, the insurance company may argue that the injuries are not as serious as reported.

For example:

  • A person with a back injury posts a picture of themselves standing at a social event. The insurer may claim they are exaggerating their pain.
  • Someone involved in a car accident makes a joke about the crash. The insurance company may argue that they are not experiencing emotional distress.
  • A person says they are unable to work but shares an update about completing house projects. The insurer may use it to dispute lost wages.

Insurance companies look for anything that might reduce their financial responsibility, even if a post does not directly relate to the injury.

Adjusting Privacy Settings May Not Be Enough

Setting profiles to private can help limit exposure, but it does not guarantee privacy. Courts have ruled that social media content can be used as evidence, even if it was shared with a limited audience.

Insurance companies may also:

  • Look at posts made by family or friends that mention the injured person
  • Review older content to find statements that contradict current claims
  • Request access to social media during the discovery phase of a lawsuit

Because of this, it is best to avoid posting about the accident or recovery altogether.

Social Media Awareness Can Protect Your Claim

Insurance companies use every tool available to minimize payouts, and social media is no exception. Being mindful of what is shared online can prevent unnecessary challenges in a personal injury case. Attorneys like those at Wandres Law, PC can attest to how insurance companies use social media to challenge injury claims. Even if a case seems straightforward, limiting online activity can help avoid unnecessary disputes. Staying off social media until the claim is resolved is often the safest approach. Speak with your lawyer about the best steps to take today.