Social media can be a wonderful thing. It can keep you connected with people you don’t see very often, and it can help you make new connections. It’s also a powerful tool for promoting a business, idea, or social cause. Especially with younger generations, social media has changed the way that people interact with each other.

There’s also a downside to social media. It’s still a fairly new technology, and many of us don’t know how to use it effectively, or even safely. If you’re in a lawsuit or other legal dispute, this can have real consequences for your case. It’s easy to say or do things online that you might think twice about saying in a courtroom.

How social media can hurt your case

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid talking about your legal issues on social media, especially when a case is still open. If you’re normally open about your personal life on social media, consider making an exception until the lawsuit is over. You can easily hurt your case by making these common mistakes:

  • Contradicting your own testimony. Even if you aren’t talking about the lawsuit, be careful not to say anything that may be interpreted as evidence against you. For example, the judge may not think your injuries are serious if you post pictures from your morning jog.
  • Casting doubt on your good character. Be sure to keep your social media image as clean as possible, especially in a lawsuit. Don’t make jokes about breaking the law, even if they’re just jokes.
  • Accidentally breaking a contract. Often, a settlement includes an agreement not to discuss the matter. This practice is controversial, and you should always consult an attorney before signing any contract. But if you’ve already signed one, be aware that these contracts are often still valid long after the case is closed.

If you’re on the receiving end of a court summons, you probably aren’t rushing to brag about it on Facebook. But if you’re the victim, you might want to talk about it, and you might let some things slip. Just know that the other side is scouring your social media presence for evidence against you.

Winning a personal injury lawsuit requires a lot of diligence as well as discretion. To learn about your own personal injury lawsuit and how to avoid social media missteps, contact us! Katherine is an experienced personal injury attorney and can be your teacher regarding these matters. We are easily reached by phone, email, or text message!