It is natural to feel a mix of emotions after a car crash. However, fear, anger, or anxiety can sometimes lead people to say things online that may later hurt their ability to seek financial recovery for the collision.
First, if you are not seriously injured and are able to remain at the scene with your vehicle, take photos of the damage and as much of the surrounding area as possible. However, do not share those photos publicly. Keep them in case you need them for your claim or for your case later on. If you are injured, make sure thorough photographs of your injuries are taken as soon as possible. These photos can be very useful later and may help prove the value of your claim. Again, do not share them publicly.
Finally, never make statements about fault or liability. That means you should avoid discussing the details of the collision with anyone unless you have spoken with your attorney. Any online mention of where you were, who did what, or what you tried to do to avoid the accident may unintentionally suggest that you contributed in some way to the collision. If that happens, it could hurt your chances of a favorable outcome.
So, what can you say? If you feel the need to post about your collision, keep it brief and generic. Do not make a firm statement that you are not injured, because you may not yet know how you will feel in a day or two. Examples of safer, more general posts include: “I was just in a crash. A tow truck is on the way.” Or, “I was in a car crash and will be at City General Hospital for a few days. Please bring candy.”
One of the most important things to remember is this: if you have already posted too much on social media about your accident, do not delete your posts. Doing so could damage your credibility and weaken your case. If you ever have a question about a specific post, always ask your attorney before taking any action.
I hope you find this information helpful and that it gives you a better understanding of how posts and tweets can affect your personal injury claim.
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