When you file a personal injury claim, you are opening the door to an investigation into your life. While most people expect to hand over medical records and accident reports, many do not realize how much weight social media carries in modern lawsuits. Courts view posts, photos, and comments as discoverable evidence, and insurance companies are quick to comb through your online presence for anything that might damage your case. Protecting your privacy online is one of the smartest steps you can take once your claim is filed.
Below, our friends from Hayhurst Law PLLC discuss tips for protecting your privacy on social media after filing a personal injury claim.
Why Privacy Matters
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys are constantly looking for inconsistencies. If you claim serious injuries but your social media suggests you are active and carefree, they will use that against you. Even innocent posts can be twisted to weaken your credibility. Taking steps to safeguard your accounts does not guarantee protection, but it reduces the chances of handing the other side free evidence.
Adjust Your Privacy Settings
Start by reviewing the settings on all of your accounts. Limit who can see your posts, photos, and tagged content. Restrict visibility to trusted friends only and turn off features that allow others to share or repost your content. While these settings are not foolproof, they make it harder for strangers or investigators to access your information.
Review Past Posts
Scroll back through older posts and look at them through the eyes of an insurance company. Do any photos, comments, or check-ins contradict the injuries you are claiming now? Do not delete them without first talking to your personal injury lawyer, since deleting evidence can sometimes be viewed negatively by the court. Instead, hide or archive questionable posts until you have clear guidance.
Be Wary Of New Friend Requests
It is not uncommon for investigators to create fake profiles in order to access private accounts. Be cautious about accepting new friend or follower requests during your case. If you do not know the person well, decline the request until your lawsuit is resolved.
Avoid Location Sharing
Turning off check-ins and location tags is an important step. Even something as simple as tagging yourself at a restaurant or event could be used to suggest you are more physically capable than you claim. Without context, the defense can present these tags in a way that hurts your credibility.
The Best Option: Pause Your Accounts
While adjusting privacy settings is helpful, the safest choice is to stop posting altogether until your case is finished. By avoiding new content, you eliminate the risk of giving the other side something to misinterpret. If stepping away completely feels too difficult, consider limiting your activity to liking posts or sharing neutral content that has nothing to do with your health, activities, or case.
Protecting Your Claim Starts With Protecting Your Privacy
Social media is a powerful tool, but during a personal injury claim it can quickly become a liability. By tightening your privacy settings, avoiding new connections, and stepping back from posting, you protect your case and strengthen your chances of receiving fair compensation. Think of social media as a window into your life, and during a lawsuit, it is best to keep that window closed as much as possible.