Posting After an Accident? Here’s How Social Media Can Cost You Your Injury Claim in Manchester

You’ve been in an accident. You’re shaken up, maybe in pain, and probably feeling overwhelmed. Naturally, you want to update friends and family, maybe even vent about what happened. But before you post anything—stop. What you put online could be the very thing that costs you the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are watching, and they’ll use anything they can to downplay your injuries. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve seen too many people lose out on thousands just because of a seemingly harmless post. If you want to avoid costly mistakes, you should consider working with professionals who understand the system. You can hire one of the best law firms in America to ensure your case is handled with expertise. 

A personal injury attorney can help you avoid these traps and ensure insurance companies don’t twist your words or actions against you. 

Big Insurance Is Watching—How Adjusters in Manchester Use Your Social Media

Insurance companies aren’t in the business of paying out big settlements. They’re in the business of saving money. And one of the easiest ways they do that? By using your social media against you. Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, they’re watching, waiting for something they can twist in their favor.

• Monitoring your posts: A simple “Feeling better today!” update could be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. Even a throwback photo can be misinterpreted.
• Tracking location tags: If you check in at a restaurant, the gym, or even a friend’s house, they might argue you’re more active than your claim suggests. In 2018, a claimant was denied benefits after tagging themselves at a dance club despite claiming mobility issues.
• Looking at comments and interactions: Even a friend joking, “Looks like you’re back to normal!” can be taken out of context and used against you in court. One judge even ruled that emojis in comments could reflect a plaintiff’s emotional state.

And insurance companies don’t stop there. Many of them hire private investigators to dig even deeper.

Private Investigators and Insurance Surveillance Tactics

It’s not just what you post—it’s what others post about you, too. Insurance companies will use every trick in the book to discredit your claim. Private investigators might:

• Cross-reference your online activity with physical surveillance. If you claim you’re bedridden but they catch you walking to the mailbox, they’ll use that against you. In 2015, a woman lost a $4.5 million claim when footage showed her lifting heavy bags despite claiming severe injuries.
• Dig into your friends’ and family’s posts. Even if your account is private, a tagged photo or casual mention of your name in a status update could expose you. In 2020, a man lost his claim after a friend posted about him attending a weekend hike.
• Recover deleted posts. Courts have ordered injury victims to turn over years’ worth of social media history, citing precedents like Nucci v. Target Corp., where the court ruled that social media content is fair game if it contradicts a plaintiff's claims., and insurance companies have used it to destroy cases.

What about private messages and deleted posts? A Manchester attorney can tell you firsthand—they're not as private as you might think. You might assume they’re off-limits, but that’s not the case. 

Can Private Messages and Deleted Posts Be Used Against You? (Yes, Here’s Why)

Think a quick delete will protect you? Think again. Courts have ruled that private messages and deleted posts can be subpoenaed under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 34, which allows opposing parties to request electronically stored information as evidence. If the other side believes you’re hiding something, they’ll demand access.

• Data retrieval requests: Social media platforms, like Facebook, have provided archived messages in personal injury lawsuits.
• Screenshots: Investigators—or even acquaintances—can take screenshots of your posts before you delete them, and courts have admitted such evidence.
• Archived versions of your profile: Search engines like Google and archive services like the Wayback Machine can keep copies of your pages long after deletion.

Once something is online, it’s out of your control. That’s why avoiding social media mistakes is so important.

The Biggest Social Media Mistakes Injury Victims Make

Most people don’t even realize they’re making mistakes—until it’s too late.

“Innocent” Posts That Get Twisted in Court

Even a casual update can come back to bite you. A simple “Had a great day!” post? The insurance company might argue it proves you’re not in pain. A comment like “I’m fine” in response to a friend’s message? That could be used to minimize your injuries.

The Dangers of Posting Happy or Active Photos

Posting a smiling selfie? Attending a family BBQ? Those moments might feel harmless, but insurers will use them as “proof” that you’re not struggling. In the UK, one insurance company denied a claim based solely on wedding photos where the claimant appeared happy.

If you’re seen standing, walking, or doing anything that contradicts your injury claim, expect insurance adjusters to pounce.

The Most Jaw-Dropping Cases of Social Media Ruining Injury Claims

We’ve seen some unbelievable cases where a single post ruined an injury claim. Here are a few of the worst:

• A woman lost her settlement after posting vacation photos, even though she claimed she was too injured to travel.
• A man was caught playing basketball in a friend’s Instagram story while claiming severe back pain.
• A worker’s permanent disability claim was thrown out after a video surfaced of them dancing at a party.

These cases prove one thing: social media isn’t just about sharing—it’s evidence that can be used against you.

Locking Down Your Social Media: How to Keep Your Case Safe

If you want to protect your injury claim, you need to lock down your social media—now. 

• Set your profiles to private. It won’t make you invisible, but it adds an extra layer of protection.
• Avoid posting about your accident or injuries. Even vague updates can be twisted against you.
• Tell friends and family not to tag you. A simple group photo could derail your case.
• Be careful who you accept friend requests from. Investigators sometimes create fake profiles just to spy on you.

At the end of the day, the less you share, the safer your case will be.

Get the Legal Protection You Need

At Horn Wright, LLP, we know how insurance companies operate—and we won’t let them take advantage of you. A dedicated personal injury attorney can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve. Your case deserves to be handled with care, and we’re here to fight for you. 

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s get started.