Every year, countless people flock to Las Vegas for leisure, entertainment, business, and more. As a result, it’s a crowded and bustling place throughout most of the year. Unfortunately, those conditions make accidents a somewhat common occurrence. And if you’re injured in an accident here, you may not stop to think about how your social media habits may influence a personal injury claim. These days, however, social media and personal injury claims are inextricably linked. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers.
Imagine, for example, that you get rear-ended on I-15 and post “I’m OK” to keep friends and family from worrying. Or, if you’re a tourist who gets injured on the Strip at the start of a vacation. Unless you’re incapacitated, you’re likely going to try to enjoy the rest of your vacation, including posting plenty of photos from your stay. In such cases, you could be inadvertently providing evidence that insurers may use against you when you file a claim. With that in mind, here’s how and why social media posts can hurt Las Vegas injury claims.
When you file an injury claim against someone responsible for an accident, it’s their insurer who will take up their defense. They’ll immediately begin looking for ways to mitigate the insured’s liability. Often, that involves minimizing the court’s perception of the severity of your injuries. That’s where social media comes in.
If you’ve posted something like “I’m OK” after an accident, the insurer will try to use that as evidence that you’re overstating your injuries. The context and timing of your comment won’t necessarily matter in the eyes of a judge or jury. Likewise, an insurer could use your photo posts after an injury to argue that you weren’t hurt enough to interrupt your vacation. Here in Nevada, it’s perfectly legal for insurers to use your online activity to try to demonstrate that you’re not as injured as you claimed to be. Then, they’ll use that as leverage to reduce or eliminate any potential personal injury settlement.
Although every case is different, it’s always in your best interests to proactively safeguard your rights. Ideally, you should refrain from posting anything to your social media accounts in the aftermath of an accident. If that’s not possible, you should try to do the following:
Here’s what to document right after a car accident.
If you’ve already posted something you believe could be problematic, don’t delete it. That could make it appear that you’re trying to destroy evidence. Instead, discuss your concerns with a qualified personal injury lawyer.
Often, an accident may initially appear so minor that contacting an attorney seems like overkill. However, if you start experiencing pain after your accident, are facing pressure from an insurer, or have questions about medical costs, a lawyer can help. You should know that Nevada has strict filing deadlines for personal injury claims. So, the sooner you discuss your situation with a lawyer, the greater the odds you’ll receive fair personal injury compensation. Contact Pacific West Injury Law for a free consultation.
Posting on social media has become a reflexive behavior for many. And in most cases, it’s perfectly harmless. However, posting after an accident is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid in a personal injury claim. And it’s not the only one. So, if you suffer injuries in an accident in Las Vegas, you should consult a local expert in personal injury law like Pacific West Injury Law. We’ll help you understand your rights and assist you as you navigate the claims process. Speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney today.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future cases. You may have to pay the other side’s attorney’s fees and costs in the event of a loss.
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