Let’s be honest, most of us a certain part of our lives online. A vacation picture here, a quick story there, maybe a rant about traffic or a new restaurant. But if you’re in the middle of a personal injury case, that same Instagram or Facebook post could quietly hurt your chances in court.
It sounds dramatic, but it happens all the time.
At Nevada Legal Advisory, we’ve seen how one small post, a smiling photo, a workout video, even a “feeling better today” caption, can become ammunition for the other side. Insurance lawyers love using social media as evidence, and they’ll scroll through your feeds looking for anything that contradicts your injury claim.
Social Media Can Be Used Against You
Think about it like this: once your case begins, everything you share publicly is fair game.
Defense lawyers will comb through your posts, tags, comments, even old photos to paint a different story, one that makes you look less hurt or less honest. A single picture of you standing at a barbecue can suddenly “prove” you’re not in pain. That’s not fair, but it’s reality.
So before you hit “post,” pause. Ask yourself if it could be twisted in any way. If there’s even a small chance, don’t share it.
Avoid Posting About Your Accident
You might feel the urge to vent or explain what happened, and it’s human. But online, that openness can backfire. If your version of events online doesn’t exactly match what’s in your legal statement, opposing lawyers can use that to question your credibility.
Even something innocent like “doing better every day” might be read in court as proof that you’ve fully recovered. So while your case is ongoing, silence is your best strategy.
Watch Out for “New Friends”
Here’s a sneaky one: fake profiles.
It’s not unheard of for insurance investigators to create fake accounts to get access to your posts. If you get a random friend request while your case is active, think twice before accepting it. It could be someone fishing for information, not a long-lost classmate.
Tighten Your Privacy Settings
Privacy settings won’t make you invisible, but they can limit exposure. Lock down who can see your photos and posts. Better yet, stop posting until your case wraps up.
We often help clients go through this process, and it’s worth doing right. Even an innocent check-in or group photo can send the wrong message in the courtroom.
Never Talk About Your Physical Abilities
If your case involves physical injuries, avoid showing or even hinting at physical activity online. A short clip of you carrying groceries or attending a friend’s hike could look bad when your claim says you’re unable to lift or walk long distances.
That applies to family posts too, ask your friends not to tag you in photos or mention your recovery.
Why is Social Media Evidence Admissible?
In Nevada, personal injury cases follow strict rules of evidence. Normally, social posts might count as “hearsay” and be excluded. But there’s a catch, if the defense can prove you made the post and it relates directly to your case, it might be allowed in court.
That’s why the safest route is to keep your online life quiet until your case is resolved.
Speak With an Attorney Who Gets It
If you’re in a personal injury case, don’t try to navigate this alone. Our team at Nevada Legal Advisory has seen how quickly social media can complicate things. We’ll help you protect your rights, and your online reputation, from day one.
You can reach out anytime for advice or a confidential consultation. Remember, it’s not just what happens in the courtroom that matters, it’s also what happens online.
Picture by Edar.
