En Español
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in El Paso, what you post on social media can significantly affect the outcome of your injury claim—even if your intentions are innocent. Insurance companies and defense attorneys are known to monitor platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to find anything that could be used to challenge your credibility or downplay your injuries. A single post or photo can be misinterpreted and used against you in court.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how social media can hurt your car accident case, provide tips on what not to do, and explain how an experienced El Paso car accident lawyer like Michael Gopin can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Insurance adjusters are trained to limit the amount they pay out on claims, and social media has become one of their favorite tools. Here’s why:
Posting that you’re “feeling better” or sharing photos of you being active can contradict your medical records or testimony about your pain levels. Even if the post was meant to be optimistic, it can be twisted to minimize your suffering.
If you claim you’re unable to work or participate in daily activities but share images from a vacation or social gathering, the opposing side may argue your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed.
Check-ins, timestamps, and tagged posts can be used to question your version of events or suggest you weren’t where you said you were at the time of the accident.
Your friends or family may tag you in photos or posts that contradict your claim. Even if you don’t post anything, being tagged in certain activities or locations can still be used as evidence.
If you’re pursuing a personal injury claim after a car crash in El Paso, here are key things to avoid on social media:
Avoid discussing details of the crash, fault, or injuries online. Even expressing frustration or sharing photos of your vehicle could be risky.
Any visual proof of you being active—playing sports, attending events, or even running errands—could be misused as evidence that you’re not as injured as claimed.
Strangers could be investigators or insurance reps trying to access your private information. Be cautious about who you accept or engage with online.
Even if your profile is private, screenshots, tags, and shared content can still become public or be obtained through legal discovery.
While nothing is truly private online, increasing your privacy settings can limit access to your personal information and posts.
Ask loved ones not to post about you, tag you, or share pictures that include you while your case is ongoing.
Letting people know you’re out and about could suggest your injuries aren’t serious—even if you’re just grabbing a coffee.
Taking a break from social media is one of the safest ways to protect your case.
An accident victim in Texas claimed neck and back injuries but posted on Facebook that she was “feeling much better” days after the accident. The defense used this status to argue her injuries were not serious.
A man pursuing a claim for chronic pain after a car accident was tagged in photos from a weekend hiking trip. The insurance company argued he exaggerated his injuries and reduced the settlement offer.
A woman posted an Instagram story of her working out at the gym while claiming she couldn’t lift heavy items. The post was used to deny part of her compensation for lost physical function.
Yes. In Texas and across the U.S., social media content is admissible as evidence in personal injury cases—especially if the content is public or acquired through legal channels like subpoenas.
Even deleted posts can sometimes be recovered through metadata or screenshots. Once a lawsuit is filed, parties are required to preserve relevant evidence—including social media content.
Insurance companies often use social media to:
The less they believe your story, the less they’re willing to pay.
Absolutely. A knowledgeable El Paso car accident lawyer can help mitigate the impact of a questionable post, advise you on legal rights, and guide you through the process of protecting your claim.
At the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, we’ve seen it all—and we know how to push back when insurance companies try to twist a harmless post into something it’s not.
No. Deleting posts after a crash could be considered destruction of evidence. Instead, stop posting and talk to your lawyer immediately.
Yes, private messages can be obtained during the discovery phase of a lawsuit if deemed relevant.
No. Creating alternate accounts to post anonymously may violate ethical or legal guidelines. Always consult your lawyer before posting anything.
An experienced car accident attorney can:
At the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC, we treat every case with care and take proactive steps to protect your credibility from start to finish.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in El Paso and are worried about how your social media could affect your case, the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC is here to help. We’ll handle the legal details while advising you on how to protect your rights—both in person and online.
We offer:
Your words, photos, and online activity can have a real impact on your personal injury case. In the digital age, it’s better to stay silent online and let your attorney speak for you.
If you’ve been injured and need help navigating a personal injury case, reach out to Michael Gopin—your trusted El Paso car accident lawyer—today at (915) 333-3333!
Michael J. Gopin has practiced law in El Paso since 1987. Even after more than 30 years, he still remembers his first jury case. It was two weeks after receiving his license, when he represented a person whose life had been forever changed after being blinded in a work-related incident...
We are experienced El Paso personal injury lawyers. Give us a call and you’ll be taken care of! (915) 333-3333
En Español