With its stunning scenery, breathtaking vistas, and near-endless winding trails, California is the perfect getaway for bikers. However, due to the high number of motorists on the state’s roads, accidents are all too common. If you were injured in a wreck, turn to our Artesia motorcycle accident attorneys to find out how you might be able to recover compensation for your damages. 

From conducting an in-depth investigation into the accident to representing you throughout proceedings, we can assist at each step of the claims process. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a free case assessment. 

Can I Use Social Media after the Accident? 

Whether it’s celebrating a promotion, graduation, or just showing off last night’s dinner, social media has become a place to share life’s bright moments. However, it’s also where we turn in times of trouble, seeking emotional support and guidance from our online circles. 

As such, after suffering an injury in a wreck, you may want to post about this traumatic experience. However, if you’re planning to file a personal injury claim, you need to think carefully about anything you upload to the internet.  

There’s always a chance the insurance company will monitor your social media feeds for evidence that could be used to challenge your credibility. Deactivating your accounts can eliminate the temptation to post while preventing opposing parties from digging through your pages.  

If taking this step isn’t possible in your situation, here are a few ways you can protect your claim next time you go online: 

• Avoid Discussing the Accident: A serious wreck can be a harrowing experience; one that is difficult to keep yourself. Friends and family may also be peppering you with questions about what happened. However, while a quick post could provide some relief, it could also compromise your claim. You may inadvertently admit fault for causing the collision, or the insurance company could misrepresent your statements to dispute liability. As such, you should never discuss the accident, your claim, your injuries, your expenses, or your social activities until your case has been resolved. 

• Screen New Connection Requests: If your claim is pending, you should always think twice before approving a new friend or follow request. Chances are that the next invitation to connect could be coming from someone working for the insurance company. Approving such requests will give these individuals free rein to pore through your posts—even if you’ve ramped up your privacy settings.  

• Avoid Posting Pictures of Yourself: Claims adjusters can use photographs you upload online after the accident as evidence to dispute liability and damages. For example, the insurer could use images of you engaging in physical activity as proof that you ignored your healthcare provider’s instructions to rest and thus failed to fulfil your responsibility to mitigate additional damages. In such situations, your financial award could be reduced. 

What Kinds of Experts Witnesses Might Play a Role in My Personal Injury Case? 

Building a convincing personal injury case can demand a wide range of resources. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you may need to obtain surveillance camera footage, cell phone records, toxicology reports, and black box data. You might also need to consult with expert witnesses. 

Expert witnesses are typically specialists whose testimony could help prove liability, causation, and damages. Examples of such experts can include: 

• Accident Reconstruction Experts: These individuals can use evidence from the accident scene, such as road markings, photographs, and surveillance camera footage, to piece together the events leading up to the collision and help determine who may have caused the wreck. 

• Medical Specialists: It’s likely that you will have to demonstrate the severity of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. A medical specialist can help describe the nature of your condition, highlight the ways in which your injuries limit you, and explain the types of healthcare interventions you will require during your recovery. 

• Industry Experts: If you won’t be able to work again after the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for lost earnings and diminished earning potential. To estimate the value of such damages, your attorney might consult with a vocational expert. Such individuals can assess your job role, education, experience, and expected career trajectory to determine whether you will still be able to work.  

Discuss Your Claim with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Artesia 

As a rider, you know the road can be a dangerous place, and even if you drive safely, you could still be struck and injured by a motorist. If you were hurt on the road, the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers may be able to help you fight for a fair settlement. Our lawyers have decades of collective experience handling personal injury claims in California. To request a free case review, visit our contact form HERE or give us a call at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.