In today’s world, with the power of social media, things are changing quite drastically. It has become a part of our lives and offers platforms that can help the audience share, connect, and express themselves.
When it comes to personal injuries, the use of social media can be a bit dangerous. Anything posted by an individual who is a part of a legal case is looked at with so much focus and attention, and a lot of stuff is taken out of that.
Also, with the rise of social media, a term called digital footprint has also come into existence. It refers to the online information that is available on social media and the content that people upload.
A car accident attoney in Houston TX can help you understand that concept better.
Do’s of Using Social Media
It is very important for the people involved in personal injury cases to know the right way to use social media. This is essential to lower the potential risks while using social media to their benefit.
Some of the common points to consider here include:
The Privacy Settings
It is one of the most crucial steps where you need to adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms. It is up to you to decide who you allow to look at your social media profile.
Also, it is best to focus on the friend requests that you receive and send in order to make sure that you do not have individuals on your list that you are not familiar with.
Consultation with a Lawyer
It is always a great idea to talk to your personal attorney before you go and talk about anything regarding your case. The legal council helps a lot in telling you about the information that can be shared and the one that must be kept private.
Posting on the Case
Posts about the case must be kept limited as these can cause a lot of issues later on. This means that the victims of the personal injury or the plaintiff must pay special attention to avoid posting any kind of pictures, posts, or any other relevant information regarding the case.
Sharing Medical Information
One must refrain from publishing detailed information about your health condition, treatment, or improvement on social media. In the defense of personal injury claims, the opposing party may use this information.
Preserve your Content
Along with avoiding posting a lot of content, you must make sure that you do not alter the content that is already up on your social media. Make sure that you archive some of the posts that can be used against you in any way, and make them public again when you feel like it.
Don’ts of Using Social Media
With the benefits of social media, there also come some of the dos and don’ts of it that you need to stay away from. Let’s explore the don’ts now.
Discussing the Case Online
Discussing the details of your injury case on social media is always discouraged. This is considered to be one of the biggest mistakes that can be made by a victim. Stay away from mentioning details on the injuries, the accident, and the negotiations that have been going on.
Also, make sure that you do not discuss the case with anyone on social media. Keep your legal matters private and discuss them only with your attorney and nobody else.
Online Disputes
It is one of the major things that can make or break your case. Social media platforms that allow you to speak your heart out should be avoided by people who are already fighting a case against another party.
Such posts can engage you in fights, unnecessary disputes, and conflicts that cannot be avoided. Also, in cases where you have to do online confrontations, it is best to stay very composed and calm in order to avoid any kind of conflict or argument.
Altering Content and Deleting it
Deleting the content or making alterations that are present on social media regarding the case should not be done.
Ensure that all case-related content is preserved as it is. There may be serious legal consequences for the removal or any changes made in the posts. It is best to make them stay there, or in cases where things get complicated, it is best just to archive the content that can be problematic later.
Conclusion
The dos and don’ts of social media usage in case of personal injury cases do hold a lot of importance. Social media use can be beneficial and also can increase the chances of risk in the resolution of your cases. It is very important for each user to keep in mind the protocols that need to be followed while using social media for their own safety and other people’s too.
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