The Impact of Social Media on Traffic Accidents in Chicago, Illinois

Whether we like it or not, social media has a major influence on our daily lives. Many of us find out our news on social media websites. We are able to interact with our favorite celebrities. We are able to tell our politicians what we think about certain policies. Most businesses provide information about fun events and sales on social media. It is tempting for many of us to share the details of our daily lives on social media. However, after being involved in a traffic accident, it is wise to stay quiet on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

If you are the victim of an accident, you may want to share your experience with your friends. Many accident victims share the photos of their vehicles after a crash with a caption about how grateful they are to be alive. However, even a seemingly innocent post may have negative impacts on a case. For example, posting “This was scary, but we are all safe and okay!” with a photo of an accident scene may be used by the other party’s insurance carrier to argue that the victim’s injuries were not as serious as he claims.

Additionally, what you post after a traffic accident may also be used against you. For example, if you have claimed that you suffered a leg injury in your car accident but are competing in a triathlon a month later, the insurance company will argue that your leg injury is not severe and not worth thousands of dollars in damages.

Depending on what you say online, the insurance company may also use your posts as an admission of guilt. For example, if you say that you were on your phone at the time of the accident, or if you were listening to the radio and singing along when the accident happened, the insurance company may use this statement to avoid some liability for the claim.

To avoid these issues, make sure your social media page is set to private after you are involved in an accident. Public posts may be saved and printed by the insurance company and presented in court.

The smartest move would be to avoid posting on social media until your claim is resolved. However, this is not always possible for some users. Therefore, do not mention your accident on social media at all. If you want to discuss what is going on in your claim with your friends and family, tell them privately—and ask them not to mention it on their own social media pages.

Social media has many benefits, but after you have been involved in an accident, you should be very careful with your posts.

If you were injured in an accident, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC Today

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If you were injured in a vehicle accident in Illinois, contact Stein & Shulman, LLC, today to discuss your legal options with a skilled auto accident attorney. You can schedule a case consultation at no cost to you by calling our office at 312.422.0500.

Stein & Shulman, LLC
134 N LaSalle St, #820
Chicago, IL 60602
312.422.0500