Think Before You Post: How Social Media Can Harm Your Personal Injury Claim

In the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to want support from friends and family. For many, that means turning to social media to share updates or vent frustrations. If you’ve filed or are considering filing a personal injury claim, what you post online could come back to hurt your case. 

At Di Renzo & Bomier, we’ve worked with countless personal injury clients across Northeast Wisconsin, and one piece of advice we always stress is this: be extremely cautious with your social media use. Insurance companies are watching, and they are not looking out for your best interests. 

Insurance Companies Are Monitoring You 

One of the most common tactics used by insurance adjusters and defense attorneys is combing through your social media for anything that could contradict your injury claims. Here are a few examples of how innocent posts can be misinterpreted: 

• Posting a smiling photo at a family gathering could be used to argue you are not in pain.

• Sharing a video of yourself walking your dog could undermine a claim of restricted mobility. 

• Checking into a gym or tagging yourself at a social event could suggest your daily life isn’t as limited as described. 

Even if these moments don’t reflect your true physical condition, insurance companies may use them to cast doubt on your credibility and reduce the value of your claim. 

Privacy Settings Don’t Guarantee Protection 

It’s a common misconception that making your account private shields you from scrutiny. In reality, courts can grant access to your social media content, even private messages, if it’s deemed relevant to your case. Don’t forget friends or family might tag you, share photos of you, or mention you in comments, all of which could be discovered and used by the opposing side. 

What You Should and Shouldn’t Do 

To safeguard your personal injury case, the attorneys at Di Renzo & Bomier recommend the following best practices: 

Do: 

• Limit or pause social media activity entirely during your case. 

• Ask friends and family not to tag or mention you in posts or comments. 

• Talk to your attorney before posting anything related to your accident, injuries, or lifestyle. 

Don’t: 

• Discuss your injury, treatment, or legal case online. 

• Post photos or videos of yourself engaging in physical activity. 

• Make statements that could be interpreted as minimizing your injuries (e.g., “Feeling better today!”). 

These steps may seem small, but they can make a major difference in the strength of your claim. 

Let Di Renzo & Bomier Protect Your Case and Your Future 

Navigating a personal injury case is challenging enough without the added complications of social media. When you work with Di Renzo & Bomier, our attorneys not only handle the legal complexities, but also counsel you on how to avoid missteps that could damage your case.  

We’re Here For You.