Over the past decade, social media has been the cornerstone of connection. It keeps families and friends together by allowing you to post personal updates and pictures for people to see. Using social media to keep people informed of personal issues, however, is not always wise. A pending court case can be affected by what you post on social media. When filing a lawsuit, it may be wise to step away from regular updates, at least for the duration of the case. Learn how social media can hurt your court case rather than help it.
Your Friends May Repost
Your friends on social media may range from your tight-knit family to people you have not connected with in person for a decade or more. While you may not like it, friends online do not all have your best interests at heart. Social media is a mecca for those who enjoy gossiping and sharing salacious details of other people’s lives. If you post about your injury, there is a chance that friends may repost on their timelines. While you can control who sees your page, you do not have that same handle on your friends’ pages.
Anything You Post Is Evidence
Through the years, terms and conditions have changed across the social media world. What you thought was a locked-down account then actually may be quite an open source now. Having a page that a third-party can see sets a dangerous path for trolling. These are people who like to stir up trouble by commenting on your posts, even if they aren’t friends. They can also come in handy when the opposing party’s attorney is looking for evidence against you. For example, if you claim injuries that make it difficult for you to walk yet are posting pictures of hikes and trips that involve lots of walking, the opposing counsel will use your own posts to discount your lawsuit.
Commenting on Someone Else’s Posts Is Dangerous
You may feel like you can remain on social media as long as you only comment on what others post. This can also become a dangerous prospect because it can lead other people back to your page, or the comments you make can be used against you. Making an innocent statement on a friend’s page about the court system may allow the opposing side to question you about this and anything else it leads them to.
If you file a lawsuit, you want to give yourself the best chance possible at recovering damages. Taking a temporary break from social media may feel like torture, but it will be well worth it when your personal injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD, like from The Law Office of Clayborne, Loos & Sabers, LLP, increases your chance of victory without it.