Twenty or so years ago, security cameras were rare. You saw them only in banks, parking garages, and the larger department stores. The digital revolution reduced the cost of cameras, from doorbell cameras on homes, to dashcams on cars, to cameras on our cell phones. With this highly accessible technology, the question must be asked; How does video and social media affect my personal injury case?
Cameras are everywhere now, and they’ve affected almost every aspect of our lives, including the law. As a result, video evidence is commonly introduced today in Pennsylvania personal injury cases. Finding the proper Philadelphia, PA Personal Injury Lawyer who can gather this video evidence quickly and coach you through social media use after your injury can be a powerful tool in proving your case and can mean the difference between winning or losing.
If you’re injured accidentally by another person’s negligence in the greater Philadelphia area, and if that accident was caught on video, will you be able to use the video to help you win compensation for your medical expenses and related losses? Our Philadelphia personal injury attorney has answers for you.
How is Video Changing Personal Injury Case?
While in the past cases relied heavily on eyewitness accounts and police reports which are heavily biased and subject to embellishments, now in the age of technology, we can see almost precisely what happened at the moment of the concerning incident.
For example, Dashcams can provide persuasive evidence if you are injured in a car accident with a negligent driver. If you’re the person being blamed for an accident, your dashcam video might prove that the negligent motorist was the other driver in the collision.
All types of sources can provide video evidence that might be useful in a personal injury case:
- Smartphone video from your phone or someone else’s.
- Dashcam video from your vehicle, someone else’s vehicle, or police.
- Surveillance video from a retailer or another third-party source.
What Are Your Rights as an Injured Victim of Negligence?
That proof can be necessary if you’re injured by negligence in traffic or any other accident scenario; Pennsylvania law entitles you to compensation for your accident-related medical bills, lost wages, personal pain, suffering, and other related losses and damages.
But you’re not simply handed that compensation. You have to prove that you’re entitled to it. If you’ve been injured by negligence, you’re going to need help from an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney. You’ll need to contact that attorney as soon as possible after an injury.
Of course, video evidence is impartial. If you’re the negligent driver in a Pennsylvania traffic accident, video evidence won’t help. And even if the other motorist was the negligent driver, video alone will not help you unless you also have the right personal injury attorney.
What About Video That Shows Up on Social Media?
If you file a personal injury claim, be cautious if you post photos or videos to social media sites like Facebook or YouTube. Lawyers and insurance investigators will comb through your social media pages for evidence – especially video evidence – that your claim is false or exaggerated.
If you’re injured by negligence and don’t have your video of the incident, you need to determine if someone else does. For example, after a traffic crash, scan the vicinity for nearby retailers and others who may have a video that captured the collision, and let your attorney know.
If you’re injured because of a slip-and-fall accident on someone’s property, in a parking lot, or at a store, hotel, restaurant, you should seek sound legal advice and aggressive representation right away. Contact an experienced Philadelphia, PA premises liability personal injury attorney at once.
Personal Injury Case Social Media Do’s and Don’ts
- Don’t accept any odd new “friend” requests, especially if it is someone who you do not know,
- Do set your privacy settings on the highest level of privacy,
- Don’t let other people tag you or your activities,
- Do “think before you post”
- Don’t post anything about your accident, injuries, or details on social media.
Remember, even if you delete posts, pictures, or videos, they can still be recovered and can open the door to a great deal more problems for you and your injury case.
When Should You Speak To a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If another driver crashes into you, if you slip-and-fall while you’re shopping, or if you’re in a store and merchandise falls, or a display collapses on you. You are seriously injured, you may not have seen what led up to the accident, but the video may be able to tell the whole story.
Time is of the essence in securing video evidence, so do not wait to speak to an attorney if you’ve been injured by negligence in Philadelphia, PA. Instead, seek medical attention first – that’s the top and immediate priority if you’re hurt – and then discuss your legal rights and options immediately with the best personal injury attorney in your area. So, if you are injured in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, remember two things #1 Think before you post! #2 Contact KaplunMarx to get a free case review today!
