You’re scrolling through your phone after a traumatic car crash—bruised, shaken, trying to piece together what happened—when you see it. A witness or passenger has posted about the accident. There’s a picture of the scene. A vague caption. Maybe even a video. You didn’t post anything, but now your story is out there.
If you suffered injuries in a Wisconsin car accident and someone else shares it on social media, you may face more than just a privacy violation. That content could influence your legal case, affect how others view your injuries, and complicate your path to fair compensation.
At Hupy and Abraham, S.C., we work to protect our clients from the moment their case begins. When you let us know about any social media content tied to your accident—even if you didn’t create it—we help ensure your rights stay protected and your story gets told the right way.
Social Media Posts Can Affect Your Injury Claim
Posts about your crash—especially when you didn’t authorize them—can impact your claim in unexpected ways. These updates can become tools for insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, or even juries. It’s important to recognize how they might shape your case and reputation.
Even a simple “glad you’re okay” can complicate your case
People post for all kinds of reasons—shock, concern, or the need to share—but once that post goes public, anyone involved in your case can access it. Insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, or investigators may search for anything that challenges your injuries, your version of events, or your credibility.
Before you scroll past or ignore it, understand the ways these posts can shape your case.
- Misleading impressions of your condition. A photo of you standing at the scene may suggest you weren’t hurt—even if your injuries appeared later or you were in shock at the time.
- Conflicting accounts. Insurance companies could use a post that describes the crash in vague or incorrect terms to discredit your own statement.
- Unexpected surveillance. A video might show your car’s position, traffic conditions, or weather—elements your attorney could use, or the defense could spin against you.
- Pressure to stay quiet. Knowing someone else has shared the story might make you feel like you can’t speak up. Don’t let that happen.
Don’t Assume Social Media Is Private—It’s Not
You may feel like someone else’s post is just “their opinion” or something that happened in their personal space. But courts often allow social media content to serve as legal evidence. Publicly shared content can impact your claim, especially if you ignore or mishandle it.
Social content can become legal evidence in a car accident—even when it’s not yours
Insurance companies, defense attorneys, and even juries take social media content seriously. If it paints a picture—accurate or not—it can influence the outcome of your case. Your attorney will know how to interpret and use it effectively.
- Courts may allow social content as evidence. Judges often admit screenshots, comments, and videos as part of the trial record, depending on relevance.
- Insurance adjusters often monitor social channels. Their job is to find reasons to deny or reduce your claim. Social media gives them plenty to work with—unless you take action early.
- You don’t need to delete anything—but you do need to tell your lawyer. Altering your own online presence can raise legal issues. Reporting other people’s posts, however, helps your attorney stay ahead of potential challenges.
How to Save a Social Media Post Before It’s Deleted
When someone posts about your accident, that content can vanish just as quickly as it appeared. People often delete posts or change privacy settings once they realize legal consequences may follow. If you spot content that mentions or shows your crash, act immediately to preserve it.
Act quickly—social content can disappear at any moment
Social media platforms do not guarantee permanence. If you don’t save a post right away, it may become impossible to recover. Here’s how you can protect crucial evidence:
- Take screenshots immediately. Make sure to include the full screen, with username, date, time, and any visible comments. These details help establish authenticity.
- Save a copy of the link. Paste the post’s URL into a secure note, document, or email to your attorney. This makes it easier to reference later.
- Use screen recording for videos. If the post includes video or interactive content, record your screen to capture it in real time, including any audio.
- Write down what you saw. If the post disappears before you can capture it, note everything you remember—the poster’s name, what the content showed, and when you saw it.
- Stay out of the comments. Don’t respond to the post or interact with it. Avoid tagging others or engaging in any way that might change its visibility or legal status.
Tell Your Lawyer About the Social Media Post—Even If It Seems Minor
Social media content created by others can influence your case whether it’s accurate or not. What may seem like a casual comment or blurry video could become part of a larger legal narrative. Your attorney needs to evaluate the full context.
Every detail helps build a stronger case for your car accident
No matter how harmless or irrelevant the post seems, let your attorney know right away. These posts can influence settlement offers, court strategy, or even jury perception.
Make sure to share:
- Who posted the content. Identify the person as a passenger, witness, bystander, or the other driver whenever possible.
- What exactly appeared in the post. Describe any visuals, captions, hashtags, and comments, especially if they relate to fault, injuries, or damage.
- When and where it was posted. Include the time and platform where you saw it—this helps attorneys verify authenticity and timeline.
- Whether the post changed or disappeared. Note if it was edited, removed, or if other users interacted with it in ways that could be important.
What If the Other Driver Posts Something on Social Media About the Crash?
When the person who caused your accident posts about it online, their content becomes especially important. Their words, tone, and timeline can reveal valuable details or inconsistencies that support your claim.
Their words could help your case—or make it more difficult
When the other driver posts about the accident, their statements could serve as informal testimony. Even a simple message like “my bad” or “can’t believe I hit someone” can work in your favor. But careless or inaccurate claims might also complicate your claim if not properly addressed.
If the other party shares your accident online, keep an eye out for:
- Apologies or admissions. A post where the other driver admits fault or explains what they did could serve as powerful evidence.
- False accusations. If they suggest you caused the crash, your attorney needs to respond with accurate documentation and counter-evidence.
- Contradictions. Posts that conflict with what the driver told the police or insurance company can raise questions about their credibility.
- Attempts to influence witnesses. Report any posts asking others to “back them up” or tell a specific version of events to your lawyer right away.
Every Social Media Post Tells a Story—Make Sure Yours Is the Truth
You can’t control what others share about your accident, but you can control how you respond. When you capture the content, document it properly, and alert your legal team, you strengthen your case and protect your rights.
At Hupy and Abraham, S.C., we’ve helped more than 80,000 clients recover over $2 billion because we know how to build strong cases—even when they start on social media. We believe you deserve every dollar, and that includes protecting your reputation from the first post to the final verdict.
