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If you were left seriously hurt after being injured in a bicycle wreck, it’s wise to disable your social media profiles as soon as possible. Insurance companies have now taken their claim assessments to the digital space, digging deep to unearth any comments, pictures, or even reviews that could be used to minimize their liability.  

However, we understand that going completely offline isn’t possible for everyone. If you’re unable to unplug, we’ve got a few tips you should follow that could help keep your case safe next time you go online:  

Update Your Privacy Settings 

By default, many social media websites will set your profiles to “public” letting anyone—including the insurance company—see what you post. In the wake of a wreck, you should tinker with your privacy settings to limit who can view your online feeds.  

In most cases, it’s best to limit this privilege to only your approved friends and followers as this will prevent the claims adjuster from poring over your social media activity. While doing so can give you an added layer of protection, opposing parties may still be able to view your posts via third-party connections. 

Never Discuss the Accident 

Even with your privacy settings maxed out, you should always avoid discussing anything related to the wreck, your injuries, treatment, pending claim, expenses, and social activities. Ultimately, your goal is to lay low as anything you share on these platforms could be used as evidence to challenge your credibility. If, for example, you wrote a tell-all delving into all the grisly details of this traumatic encounter, your comments could be misrepresented to dispute liability, causation, and damages. 

Stop Sharing Pictures 

While it might seem like just a harmless snapshot of you and your family, even these unrelated photographs could be used as evidence to deny you compensation. For instance, if this picture shows you out at a park just a week after the wreck, the insurer could assert that your injuries aren’t as serious as you are claiming because you are still able to leave the house and enjoy a normal quality of life.  

As such, you should abstain from sharing photographs until your case has been resolved. Additionally, you should ask friends and family to avoid tagging you in their own posts as these could also be used to keep tabs on your activities. 

Cancel the “Check-ins” 

While you might be in the habit of “checking in” whenever you arrive at a new location, this social media practice could compromise your claim if you’re planning to seek compensation. Ultimately, these regular broadcasts will make it relatively easy for opposing parties to track your whereabouts. If your “check-ins” show you bouncing from one social engagement to the next, the insurer might have room to question the severity of your injuries or argue, for instance, that you ignored your doctor’s instructions to rest. 

Discuss Your Case with a Bicycle Accident Attorney in California 

For more tips on how to protect your claim, reliable guidance, and tenacious representation, turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience representing accident victims and are ready to put their expertise to work by helping you in your fight for a fair settlement. To schedule a free case review with a California bicycle accident attorney, reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS today or send us a message via our contact form HERE.