When you live in Charlotte, North Carolina, understanding your legal rights is important when you or a loved one falls victim to medical malpractice. Medical professionals are expected to adhere to a certain standard of care, and when they fail to do so, they could be held legally accountable. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare […]
Social Media & Personal Injury
Imagine a trial where the defendant is on the stand testifying that they were not drinking the night of the accident. In fact his entire testimony is about he doesn't drink and at the time of the car accident he was completely sober. He sounds good, sounds believable and seems contrite that the accident took place. Now imagine the plaintiff's attorney standing up and approaching the defendant. Imagine the attorney asking about whether the defendant has a Facebook account. Imagine what the jury is thinking when the plaintiff's lawyer produces pictures of the defendant on his Facebook account showing him holding bottles of beer (and clearly under the influence).
The role of social media is directly influencing personal injury cases. Many times defense attorneys request pages from social media which references the car wreck, slip and fall or other injury the Plaintiff filed a lawsuit regarding. As such, our personal injury attorneys tell our clients during the first meeting not discuss the accident, incident or injury on social media. When the client does post something a skillful defense attorney can spin the statement in a way which benefits their case. Further, many times an innocuous statement can be taken out of context. A jury hearing this statement can view the Plaintiff in a different light which may result in an unfavorable outcome. Best practices dictate that clients should limit discussions of their case and injuries to their lawyer and doctors. Of course, this can work both ways. Our personal injury lawyers will look into the social media of the defendants to see if they discussed the incident. Sometimes statements made by the defendant on social media will be diametrically different than statements made in court, to the benefit of our clients.
Social media is becoming a bigger problem for younger victims of Car accidents. Younger people are so used to sharing all intimate aspects of their life they don't have a problem sharing how they are feeling following an accident. We tell our clients to remember once they hit send it can't be brought back. The other thing to keep in mind is that if they are out with friends those friends can upload pictures to their account, which could tag the plaintiff. For example if a client is complaining of neck and back pain and picture of them with their friends at a club will be hard to explain.
In the end we advise I clients to live their lives as they would normally do. However, before they post anything which may haunt them for the duration of their case to think about it first.
Additional Bar Fights Car Accident Personal Injury Premises Liability Workers Compensation Articles
Maximizing Your Compensation: 5 Tips for Negotiating a Fair Settlement in NC Car Accident Cases
Car accidents can be an overwhelming experience - physically, emotionally, and financially. If you're involved in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, it's critical that you know how to protect your rights and secure the best possible compensation for your injuries and losses. When negotiating a settlement for your car accident case, having an […]
Hiring a Local Charlotte Lawyer Matters for Your Car Accident Case
A car accident can be a stressful, life-altering event. From physical injuries to emotional trauma to financial hardship, the impacts are often far-reaching. You may need to spend significant time and energy recovering from injuries to get back to your normal life. Choosing the right local lawyer can help you focus on those aspects while […]
Contributory Negligence in North Carolina: How It Impacts Your Personal Injury Claim
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality in Charlotte, North Carolina, and often leave victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. If you've been injured in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, North Carolina's contributory negligence laws can significantly impact your […]
