5 Tips for Using Social Media While Your Car Accident Claim Is Pending

When investigating car accident claims, insurance adjusters will often take to monitoring social media activity. If there are any discrepancies between what the claimant posts and what they tell the carrier, the adjuster will have cause to challenge their credibility. This, in turn, could lead them to devalue—or perhaps even deny—the claim.

Since there’s no way to be sure how adjusters might interpret certain posts, car accident attorneys typically advise their clients to disable their accounts temporarily. If you intend to file a claim but staying off social media is not an option, you can at least reduce the chance of jeopardizing your claim by following these tips:

1. Turn on the Strictest Privacy Setting

Review the privacy settings on each of your accounts and toggle them if needed so only approved connections can see your feeds. While there is no guaranteed way to contain something once you publish it on social media, stricter privacy settings will at least make it harder for the insurance adjuster to monitor you closely.   

2. Filter All New Requests

Once you’ve turned on the strictest privacy settings, you’re going to have to approve all new connections manually. It might be tempting to do so absentmindedly, but as long as your claim is pending, you should scrutinize each request carefully.

If you don’t recognize a potential friend or follower, don’t grant them access to your profile. They could be working for the insurance carrier and may be trying to view your feeds on behalf of the adjuster who was assigned to your claim. 

3. Avoid Publishing Potentially Problematic Posts

You do not want to post anything online that will make the insurance adjuster think twice about approving your claim. For example, publishing photos from a long hike may make them question the severity of your injuries. Even if the photos are from before the accident, they may refuse to believe as much.

Likewise, posting about a large purchase, like a new car, could lead them to question whether you’re actually struggling financially. Generally speaking, if you’re not entirely sure how something could be interpreted, you shouldn’t publish it. 

4. Do Not “Check In”

“Checking in” to public places will make it incredibly easy for the insurance adjuster to track your activities. And if any of the places you visit are not where you’d expect to find someone who is recovering from serious injuries, checking in to them could end up hurting your claim. 

5. Ask Friends & Family to Avoid Including You on Their Own Profiles

If the insurance adjuster cannot see your online activity, they may take to monitoring your loved ones’ profiles in the hopes that they’ll post about you. As such, it’s wise to ask your friends and family members to keep you off their feeds until your case has been resolved.  

Speak with a Stuart Car Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a reckless driver, turn to Donaldson & Weston for strategic legal counsel. Our tireless team has the knowledge, resources, and experience to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To schedule your free case review with a car accident attorney in Stuart, call 772-266-5555 or fill out our Online Contact Form.