Personal injury lawyer, Rand Spear, has helped thousands of families with their personal injury cases over the years and has seen nearly every type of defense in these cases. One fairly recent tactic that defense attorneys are using is social media. Here’s what they are doing, and what you can do to protect your own interests in your personal injury case.
Most Adults Use Social Media
Over the last dozen years, the number of people using social media has exploded. In 2006, it’s estimated that roughly 11 percent of adults had social media profiles. Last year, that number jumped to nearly 67 percent. It’s no secret that prospective employers often look at job candidates’ social media pages before making hiring decisions, but now, insurance companies and defense lawyers are essentially doing the same thing.
Attorneys for defendants in personal injury cases, along with insurance companies are searching the social media pages of plaintiffs who suffered injuries due to car accidents, workplace accidents, and other personal injuries for images, posts, messages, and comments that they can use to reduce or eliminate the individual’s right to compensation.
For that reason, anyone who is injured and has a personal injury claim pending, should be aware that any public information that can be found about them on social media will likely be used against them, if possible. Additionally, once the defense has found public information – even if it’s only remotely associated – they will likely ask the court to allow them to see everything possible, even those images and postings that are protected by privacy settings. The judge may order the plaintiff to supply the insurance company and defense attorneys with all usernames and passwords for their social media.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Claim?
If you are injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault, or you suffered a workplace injury, you should consider not using social media at all during your case, or consistently use privacy settings. Keep in mind, that when you post anything, you do so at your own risk. Insurance companies are very adept at turning even the most innocent of images and postings into something that can be used against you.
Let Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, by a defective product, or other personal injury, you need a personal injury attorney to help you file your claim, represent your best interests, and secure the compensation that you deserve. Let personal injury lawyer, Rand Spear, help you with your case. Contact his office today for your free consultation and case review.
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Rand Spear
Two Penn Center Plaza, Suite 200
1500 J.F.K. Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
T: (215)985-2424
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Prior results cannot and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future case. Recoveries always depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case, the injuries suffered, damages incurred, and the responsibility of those involved. This article is not to be considered advise, only the execution of the contingency agreement with this law firm will constitute an attorney-client relationship. The contents of this article are for general information only. If you would like to pursue a claim, please contact an attorney immediately to discuss your specific facts and circumstances regarding your claim. Some cases accepted by this law firm may be referred to or worked on by other lawyers, depending on the area of practice and specifics of a particular case.
