Comments and videos posed on TikTok and other social media sites can be used as legal evidence in a car accident claim.
Social Media Posts Can Affect Claims
While posting on social media sites is a popular pastime for millions of people, it creates a certain amount of danger and liability for users. Posts that show conversations, photos, and videos can be used as evidence in personal injury lawsuits and car accident claims.
Over the last decade, social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have provided popular platforms for users to communicate and share photos and videos with friends and family. TikTok, an app known for short music videos and amusing activities, has recently joined the ranks. In 2020, TikTok has been downloaded over 2 billion times and accumulated 800 million active worldwide users posting around the clock.
TikTok and other video platforms are extremely popular, but many users never think about the consequences of posting. When videos show details about car accidents and personal injuries, they can impact the outcome of a claim filed with an insurer, as well as a personal injury lawsuit filed. TikTok videos can be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.
Generally, it is not a good idea to post any comments or videos that show details of an accident on the internet where it becomes public knowledge. Even something as simple as adding laughing emojis to a post can have an impact on accident claims. Because social media platforms are so popular, insurance companies commonly scrutinize social media accounts for information related to claims. Insurance investigators and claims adjusters look for inconsistencies between a claimant’s official statement and information relayed on social media posts. Insurance companies routinely use information and videos as evidence to determine fault in an accident and payout amounts for property damages and injury claims.
Following a car accident, it’s normal to want to reach out to friends and family for help and emotional support, or just to vent about the accident. However, posting details online can lead to disputes with an insurance company and denial of a claim. Without a lawyer to negotiate an agreeable insurance settlement or pursue a personal injury lawsuit in court, a TikTok video can result in minimal payments for injuries, medical expenses, and property damages.
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