It’s easy to get triggered and put everything on social media. However, the momentary lapse can have long-term consequences, especially in car accident lawsuits. If you want your Denver car accident lawyer to win your case, learn how social media might impact it.
Benefits of Social Media in Car Accident Lawsuits
When used tactfully, social media can help strengthen your car accident lawsuit in many ways. Your Denver car accident lawyer can also find some help to prepare the case. Here are some of the benefits of social media:
Establishing the Sequence of Events
Social media sites can be used to create a timeline of events preceding and following a car collision. People usually post about their daily activities, whereabouts, and plans. This information can be quite useful in reconstructing the circumstances that lead up to the accident. For example, a person’s whereabouts and activities before the accident can offer insights to understand what led to the incident.
Corroborating Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitness testimony can be vital in car accident lawsuits but can also be inconsistent or biased. Social media evidence can supplement eyewitness reports by providing additional viewpoints and insights. If numerous witnesses post about the accident on social media, it can boost the credibility of their stories. Moreover, it can provide a more complete picture of what happened.
Demonstrating Injuries and Damages
In car accident personal injury lawsuits, the level of injuries and losses is key in deciding compensation. Social media posts can provide visual evidence of the individual’s injuries, impact on daily life, and recovery speed. This data can help determine the severity of the injuries and their long-term consequences, influencing the amount of compensation.
Contradicting False Claims
Individuals involved in car accidents may make false statements regarding the incident, injuries, or behavior before the crash. Inconsistencies in these accounts can be shown via social media posts. For example, the motorist who caused the accident can deny speeding. However, their previous posts about their fondness for reckless driving can undermine their credibility.
Rebutting Insurance Company Arguments
Insurance firms may argue that the amount of injuries or the demand for compensation is overstated. Social media evidence can provide a clear and unfiltered view of your state, medical treatments, and the impact on your daily life. This evidence can be used to challenge the arguments and strengthen your compensation case.
Drawbacks of Social Media in Car Accident Lawsuits
While effective social media use can benefit car accident lawsuits, there are some drawbacks, too.
Evidential Trap
Social media posts can be a two-edged sword. Anything you post online, no matter how innocently, might be used against you as evidence. Posts that appear to contradict your allegations or imply you aren’t as injured as you say can undermine your case.
Privacy Invasion
Examining your social media pages can feel like an invasion of your privacy. Opposing counsel might scrutinize your account and make necessary evidence public. Therefore, it might be unpleasant to have your privacy invaded.
Misinterpretation
Posts on social media can easily be misconstrued or taken out of context. What you intended to be a lighthearted remark or joke can be presented in a way that casts you unfavorable light.
Self-Incrimination
You may unintentionally post content that could be viewed as admitting responsibility or guilt, even if this was not your intent. For example, mentioning being in a hurry or preoccupied while driving could be used against you.
Emotional Toll
Litigation stress, paired with monitoring of personal social media accounts, can be emotionally draining. It can cause worry, distress, or discomfort if you openly express yourself online during the lawsuit.
Legal Complexity
Managing social media evidence might complicate your case. The time and resources needed in gaining, verifying, and storing such evidence can make your case even harder.
Potential Impact on Settlement
Social media evidence might convince the opposing party to offer a lower settlement. They might presume your case is weaker due to your contradictory posts. Hence, it can affect the amount of compensation you receive.
How to Navigate Social Media During a Car Accident Lawsuit
Your social media use can impact your car accident lawsuit in many ways. Therefore, you must remain strategic about it and learn best practices to use your social media. Doing so can help your Denver car accident lawyer prepare a robust case.
- Review and Adjust Your Privacy: The first step must be to review and adjust your social media privacy. Limit trusted individuals’ access to your posts and stories, including photos and videos. Doing so helps keep unauthorized people to stay at bay.
- Think Before You Post: You must be mindful of your digital footprint. Anything you post on social media stays forever on the web, even if you delete it. Hence, be wise about what you post, as it can be used against you and might impact your lawsuit.
- Refrain from Engaging in Heated Debates: People online are not always kind, and it’s only human to feel hurt. However, engaging in heated debates will do you no good. Hence, refrain from such actions that might get a comment from you to be used against you.
- Preserve Existing Evidence: Whether you consider deactivating or staying connected, preserve any evidence that might help your case. Any photos, videos, or comments that can be used in your favor must be collected and forwarded to your Colorado car accident lawyer.
- Consult Your Denver Car Accident Lawyer: Attorneys can help you understand other social media best practices. Furthermore, they can offer relevant guidelines regarding your case. Hence, consider consulting your Denver car accident attorney to avoid social media mishaps effectively.
Contact BLG for an Expert Denver Car Accident Lawyer
Social media can be used to strengthen your case if used wisely. An experienced Denver car accident lawyer will know how to handle such a sensitive situation and turn things in your favor.
At BLG, we’re proud to have a team of dedicated Colorado car accident attorneys who know the nitty gritties of Denver car accident law. We help our clients navigate the lawsuit comprehensively, valuing clear and unobstructed communication.
Let us win your car accident case for you! Contact us today for a free consultation.
1-800-870-8910