Why you should take a social media break after a car accident

On Behalf of | Jul 31, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

After a traumatic event like a car crash, your first reaction might be to share your experience on social media. You might feel the need to vent about your ordeal, receive emotional support or simply reassure your friends that you are all right.

Oversharing on social media is all too common. Following a motor vehicle accident, what you share can have significant consequences.

Your posts can fall into the wrong hands

Nothing you put online is ever truly private, regardless of your social media privacy settings. There is always a risk that your posts may reach the other driver’s insurance company, which can harm your chances of recovering damages.

You might admit fault

Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you may recover damages if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, but the amount will decrease in proportion to your fault.

For this reason, you must avoid admitting any fault for the accident. If you make social media posts expressing remorse or speculating about what you could have done differently, the other party might use these as evidence that you were at fault. It is normal to have feelings of guilt or regret, but you should discuss your feelings with a counselor and not in a public forum.

You might downplay the severity of your injuries

Even posts that do not directly pertain to your accident can affect your case. If you have sustained an injury as a result of the accident, photos or posts that appear to depict you partaking in physical activities may cast doubt on your injuries.

In the aftermath of a car accident, you should seek support privately from a trusted loved one or therapist. By staying away from social media, you can avoid jeopardizing your case.

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