Few experiences can compare to the thrill of hitting the open road on your trusty ride. However, every time you get into the saddle, you take on serious risks. While motorists are expected to look out for those on two wheels, there are still many who behave negligently or recklessly putting bikers’ lives in danger. If you were hurt in a wreck, turn to our Granada Hills motorcycle accident attorneys to find out how you could recover compensation for your losses.

From repairs bills and medical costs to lost wages and emotional distress, you may be able to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to find out more.  

Can I Use Social Media after the Accident? 

Sites such as Instagram and Facebook have changed the way we communicate, shifting many of our conversations to the digital space. As such, it’s understandable if you want to post about the accident on these online forums. However, before you hit “post”, you should take a moment to think about the potential consequences of what you put on the internet.  

The insurance adjuster may be monitoring your activity for any evidence that could be used to challenge your credibility. For instance, your comments could be misrepresented to dispute liability, or pictures of you engaging in social activities after the wreck could be used to question the severity of your injuries. 

Ideally, you should deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings. However, if this isn’t possible for you, here are a few ways you can protect your claim next time you login: 

• Avoid Posting Pictures: They say a picture is worth a thousand words; however, after a wreck, a picture could also cost you thousands of dollars. Claims adjusters have become adept at leveraging social media images to challenge claims. As such, even seemingly unrelated photographs could become ammunition to dispute your case. For example, pictures of you engaging in physical activity a few days after the accident could be used to assert that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim as you are still able to enjoy a normal quality of life. 

• Skip the “Check Ins”: Sites such as Facebook allow you to broadcast your whereabouts to give friends and family a window into your life. While this feature can help you stay connected, it could also make it easier for the insurer to keep tabs on your activities. Unfortunately, while you are recovering from your injuries, the claims adjuster doesn’t expect you to leave the home for any other reason than attending follow-ups, physical rehabilitation sessions, or undergoing procedures. As such, if your “check ins” show you jumping from the bar to the beach and back again, you may face serious disputes. 

• Update Your Privacy Settings: By default, social media profiles are often set to “public” making it easy for other parties to view what you post. Fortunately, you can tinker with your account’s privacy settings to limit who can—and can’t—see your feed. Restricting access to only approved friends or followers will give you an added layer of protection in the weeks ahead.  

How Can I Strengthen My Claim? 

A serious accident can have a devastating effect on your financial well-being. Victims often miss out on weeks of wages and are straddled with long-term medical expenses. If you’ve found yourself in this precarious position, you’re likely willing to do everything in your power to secure a financial award.  

While your attorney will oversee the logistics of your case, there are some steps you can take to help mitigate disputes and avoid delays. Let’s look at these steps in closer detail: 

• Take Your Recovery Seriously: After an accident, your health should be your top priority. As such, you should never take any actions that might aggravate your condition. For example, if your doctor has instructed you to take time off work, take certain prescription medications, or abstain from physical activity, you should never deviate from their instructions. If it emerges that you went against your healthcare provider’s orders, you could face disputes over failure to mitigate damages potentially leaving you on the hook for any additional losses. 

• Start a Personal Injury Journal: Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment in life and pain and suffering. However, as there are no receipts for these invisible scars, you will have to gather various types of evidence to build a case for such intangible losses. A personal injury journal could play a crucial role in helping you recover compensation. You should use this diary to keep track of your pain levels, limitations, and medication side effects. Your attorney may be able to use your entries to provide context for your medical records, giving a judge or jury a window into the many ways in which your injuries have affected your well-being. 

• Compile Evidence in a Safe Place: Whether you were able to take photographs of the accident scene or you have managed to obtain surveillance camera footage of the collision itself, you should store such proof in a safe place. Your attorney and/or an accident reconstructionist may be able to use such media to determine what happened and who was at fault for causing the wreck. 

Discuss Your Situation with a Granada Hills Motorcycle Accident Attorney 

Were you hurt in a bike wreck? Turn to our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys for guidance, advice, and tenacious representation. The initial consultation is free. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or click through to our contact page HERE to request a case review.