Did you know a Facebook post could cost you thousands of dollars in personal injury payments even if it’s not about the car accident?
Insurance companies frequently use social media posts about day-to-day life to undermine your claim when it comes to personal injury cases. They will use your posts – about a cousin’s birthday or weekend walk – to make it seem like you are not as badly injured as you say you are.
These days many of us post a happy photo and project the good life to all our friends and family, even if things are a little messier in real life. The same applies to personal injury cases, the photo may be what we want but the reality of life living after a personal injury are not shown.
Pictures say a thousand words, it’s important you make sure they don’t say the wrong ones that insurers can use against you.
Here’s a handy translation guide about what you post and how insurers may use it against you.
We advise all of our clients to stay off social media while a case is going through – or at the very least think before you post.
You posted
Girl’s night! Happy birthday Louise!!
Your injuries You have been suffering from neck pain and worsening driving anxiety. The anxiety has gotten so bad, you’ve barely been leaving the house lately except to go to work and physio appointments.
Before the photo You practically had to drag yourself out to join your friends for a birthday party as they have been complaining that they never see you anymore.
After the photo After about an hour, you couldn’t handle it anymore and left the restaurant.
What the insurance company will see How can a person complain of anxiety causing socially isolation when they are out all the time partying with their friends?
You posted
Finally our dreams came true and we got to see beautiful Machu Picchu.
Your injuries Major pain in your hip and back.
Before the photo You planned your honeymoon eco-adventure trip to Machu Picchu for over a year, including a 4-day hiking and camping trip on the ascent to Machu Picchu. At the last minute you had to cancel your hike and take a bus to the site, and were carried to the peak by your new husband.
After the photo The travel alone caused your hip and back to be so sore that you had to spend the rest of your trip by the hotel pool. It could be worse, but this was not the trip of a lifetime you had planned.
What the insurance company will see People with hip and back pain can’t take long plane trips, much less climb to Machu Picchu.
You posted
Trying out the new wheels!
Your injuries You have a shoulder injury. Your doctor thinks you may have to get surgery to repair it.
Before the photo You saved up for an ATV for two years, which you finally bought right before the accident. You weren’t able to ride for a year after the accident, but you decided to try it out since physiotherapy on your shoulder seemed to be working so well.
After the photo You had to increase your visits to your physiotherapist back to 3 times per week. You worry all the progress you made over the last year is lost.
What the insurance company will see People with shoulder injuries like you claim you have simply don’t have the strength to control ATVs, you must be lying about how bad it is.
You posted
Summer is for grilling!!
Your injuries You sustained a concussion in the accident, which has caused nausea, memory issues, and mood swings.
Before the photo You and your husband have been arguing non-stop, but you pulled it together when the rest of the family arrived, so they wouldn’t see how bad your relationship has become.
After the photo You lost patience with your son after he spilled his drink and he ran away crying. You feel terrible for him and embarrassed that you yelled at him in front of your in-laws.
What the insurance company will see Your family seems happy, you must be exaggerating your mood swings and the trouble they are causing in your relationships.