The post Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Imagine hopping into your car. Whether you’re going to work, a friend’s house, on an errand, or going on a road trip with family. You’ve only one focus in your mind: going to your next stop as safely as possible.

You grabbed the wheel and stepped on the gas. A couple of minutes later, you got hit by another car. You check on yourself. See if you have bruises or injuries. After ascertaining you’re good with only a minor bruise on the head, you step out of the car and see the damage.

Regardless of who is at fault, it’s never a good time to get involved in a vehicular collision. Whether it’s just a slight fender bender or a catastrophic car crash, it’s inconvenient and costly, if not life-threatening. Nonetheless, there are a couple of things you need to take care of when you’re involved in an auto accident, and take care of it relatively quickly.

First off, appropriate medical attention for the bruised or injured. For this purpose, you need to seek help by calling 911. This brings the matter to the attention of the emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers. You may also look for help from nearby people.

Contacting the Police

Medical concerns aside, in every car accident, you’ll need to have police officers on the scene. In most cases, you’ll need to secure a police report when filing appropriate action for recovery of damages. Your insurance provider will also require a police report before processing your claim for indemnity.

But assuming you didn’t call for law enforcement officers, how long should you report a car accident? Similarly, when should you notify your insurance provider about the incident?

In this article, you will find general answers to all time-related questions as well as issues relating to statutes of limitations as it pertain to the filing of accident claims.

Q. Am I required to report the car accident?

Not really. There are rare instances when you may not be required to file a report at all. For example, you dented or scraped the paint off your car when you hit your gate while backing out. Another instance is low-speed minor collision and the other driver is willing to compromise to avoid lengthy or costly litigation.

Other than those exceptional circumstances, you may need to file a report with law enforcement. You will use the police report to file a claim for indemnity or pursue a legal action for compensation for damages.

Q. When should I report the car accident?

As soon as possible. When there are law enforcement officers responding to the scene, you can file a report therein.

On the other hand, most insurance providers have 24-hour hotlines dedicated for filing accidents and/or claims. If you’re not sure when to give notice to the insurer, read through your insurance policy.

Filing a Lawsuit

When dealing with a car accident, you have to comply with the statute of limitations as it relates to filing an action in court.

Statute of limitations is the strict time limit for filing an action. Every state, however, has its own set of statute of limitations; i.e., when is the last day for filing an action. Different states may also have different types of claims. With regards to legal matters, it is best to consult with a lawyer about these things.

Want to speak with a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Reporting a Car Accident appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Imagine going through traffic early in the morning. There’s a very important meeting that you need to attend to. So off you go in your car. With your hands on the wheel, you step on the pedal and sped on the thoroughfare.

You’re eyes are focused on the road, mindful of every movement the nearby vehicles made. You look before you make turn or change lanes. Everything went smoothly as always. In a couple of minutes, you’d reach your destination.

Then suddenly, bang! Another vehicle rammed through your car. That was a strong one, you thought to yourself. After checking for injuries, you stepped out of the vehicle and checked the damage. What a big damage, it was.

Car accidents are stressful. They are very inconvenient and costly, not to mention potential life-threatening too. And with car accidents come the prospect of filing insurance claims. So it’s another inconvenience to deal with.

Reporting the car accident to your insurance provider doesn’t have to be a struggle. In this article, we’ll provide tips to help you address this concern.

Q. Am I required to file a report to my insurance provider?

Yes, you need to report to your insurance provider in cases of first-party insurance claims.

However, if the other driver was at fault, you may file a report to his/her insurance provider. In this instance, this is called a third-party insurance claim.

Q. What do I need to do when filing a claim with my insurance company?

First thing you need to do is to notify the insurance provider concerned regarding the car accident.

In first-party insurance claims, you will need to inform your insurance provider, giving it the details of the accident.

On the other hand, contact the other driver’s insurance company in cases of third-party insurance claims. For this purpose, request for his/her insurance information.

Q. Do I need to give a general description of what happened?

Yes. For this reason, obtaining a police report is useful. The insurance company may also request for a car inspection to estimate the extent of the damage. A claims adjuster will also determine how much indemnity to award for the damages incurred.

In all instances, check with the insurance provider as to the time limit for filing a claim to avoid adverse consequences, which may negate your claim.

Q. What shall I disclose to the insurance company?

It is crucial that you provide the insurance provider with accurate information as to the events surrounding the car accident. Stick to the facts when disclosing key details. Exaggerating your narration may make it seem unbelievable, if not ridiculous; thus, adversely affecting your chances of obtaining indemnity.

Be prepared with supporting documents. As mentioned, a police report is a must-have. Also, when reporting your injury, make sure you have a medical certificate issued by a reputable doctor.

Q. Are there things I shouldn’t share with the insurance provider?

Yes. Only answer the questions asked. Refrain from voluntarily supplying any information not requested. You might inadvertently disclose a crucial tidbit, which may negate your claim. Also, do not give out written or recorded statements, which can be used against you.

If you’re not sure what to disclose or discuss with the insurance provider, speak with a car accident attorney (or a personal injury lawyer) in your area.

Q. What should I do if the insurance company issues a settlement check early on?

Always consult a lawyer before entering into a compromise agreement. You could be agreeing to an amount, which may be less than what you’re entitled to. Once the offer is accepted, it may be difficult to recover the amount due to you as rightful compensation.

Looking for a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

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In a world of laptops and mobile devices, pens and papers may seem obsolete. But actually, they are far better in terms of retaining what you want to remember. There’s a study about this, really. Note-taking can boost memory, allowing the brain to retain more information or understand certain concepts. Which brings us to this point.

Jotting down what happened following a car accident paves way for a more accurate account of the events that unfolded. Note-taking is better than solely relying on memory and then recalling it to mind.

With the frailty of the human memory, we tend to forget things deemed important details of the car accident. However, as time passes, we are likely to miss out on the key particulars. As a result, we fail to communicate these details to law enforcement officers or the insurance provider.

Admittedly writing down notes may be the last thing that comes to mind following a car accident. But this shouldn’t be the case. Jotting the details down can spell the difference between securing your lawful claim for compensation and losing it out in a lengthy, painful legal battle.

That being said, here are simple tips on taking down the important information following a car accident.

Write It Down ASAP

Following a car accident, your paramount concern should be your safety and well-being as well as that of others. After making sure everyone is safe or has been medically attended by EMT, begin your jotting down process.

When writing down the details of the car accident, do it like a play-by-play narration of the events. Start from the few moments before the accident, progressing into the accounts during and after the unfortunate event. The trick is to recount the events as if you’re a sportscaster or observer.

Make sure you have the basic details like time, date, and place of the car accident. If you can, get the names of those involved too as well as the witnesses.

Don’t focus to highlight the circumstances surrounding the event. For instance, were the roads slippery that day? Were there a lot of cars? How fast were they going?

Also, whenever possible, take photos of the scene of the accident, focusing on the damage of your vehicle. Pictures are very helpful in corroborating your narrative.

Jot Down Your Injuries or Damage

Were you injured as a result of the car accident? If you observed bruises, sprain, or any pain following the collision, write them down as detailed as possible. Include injuries of a non-physical nature such as depression, anxiety, and loss of sleep. There may be conditions or symptoms that develop days, weeks, or months after the accident. Record them as well.

The sooner you record these details, the more you can set forth on paper. More may mean credible, which the court will appreciate. In support of your statements, seek medical intervention, and have a certificate issued ascertaining these injuries.

Keep Track of Your Expenses and Losses

Take note of the missed workdays, expenses incurred for the treatment, and other lost economic or financial opportunities. Should you pursue legal action to recover compensation for damages, these notes can be very helpful.

Seek Legal Representation

If you figured in a car accident, it is highly recommended that you seek legal representation from an experienced lawyer. A qualified attorney can help protect your interest and ensure that your rights are protected.

Looking for a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Writing Down What Happened in a Car Accident appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

The events following a car accident can be very crucial. What you do afterwards can make or break your case should you decide to pursue a legal action in court.

While your primary concern after a car accident should be your safety and well-being, the next logical priority are your legal rights. If you have been wronged, it is only just that you receive some form of recompense for the loss or harm you suffered.

But in most cases, recovery of damages can become a lengthy and protracted legal battle. Without evidence in support of your cause of action, your lawsuit will be pointless, incapable of producing the desired outcome.

Which is why, writing down notes following a car accident is a proven useful device in preserving in your mind as much details of the unfortunate event. In support of your written accounts are photos.

What better way to show the extent of the damage to the court or the insurance provider than using pictures. Visual images can eliminate any doubt as to your claim of damages sustained. Thus, should the matter proceed in a legal battle, it’s a lot easier to demonstrate the harm done by the erring driver.

In this article, we offer pointers on how to effectively take photos at the scene of the car accident.

Preserving the Evidence

Photos are very effective minimizing disputes on facts relating to the scene of the accident. By taking images, you preserve the evidence, which is crucial in support of your legal claims. Even a quick glance of the photos can give its viewers a depiction of what happened. In turn, these images can give an impression of who was at fault and what is the extent of the damage.

Taking Effective Pictures

Photos are pieces of evidence, which may be given greater weight in legal disputes involving car accidents. Thus, it is critical that you take quality photos of the scene of the accident. Make sure the images reflect proper context and accurate details. Get pictures from every angle possible, highlighting the damaged areas.

General View of the Scene of the Car Accident

First off, take pictures that depict a general view of the accident. Without going into the details, obtain multiple shots from various angles. Begin by including all the vehicles directly in contact with your car. Then take a snapshot of each of those vehicles along with your vehicle.

When shooting a photo of these cars, make sure you get all the involved vehicles in the frame relative to the position of your car. Take pictures from various angles to demonstrate each car’s proximity to other cars involved.

Traffic Lights, Road Signs, and Weather Conditions

If the accident occurred near a traffic light or road signs, take photos of these fixtures in relation to the vehicles. Should there be any signs, posts, guardrails, or similar stationary objects that were damaged on the occasion of the car accident, you should get photos of them too.

Weather conditions can also play a factor in car accidents. So if rain or snow contributed to the unfortunate occurrence, it’s best to take photos of the state of the atmosphere at that time.

If there are any, get shots of skid marks, roadside debris, and other signs of the accidents within the immediate vicinity.

Detailed Images of the Damage, License Plates, Etc.

Get close-up shots of the scratches, dents, and broken glasses of the vehicles. Whenever permitted, take photos of the interior as well, if there are anything damaged.

For proper identification of the vehicles, take snapshots of their license plates as well as the insurance cards of the other drivers.

Injuries

Photos of your injuries are the among the best proof of what you sustained as a result of the car accident. However, as a matter of propriety and civility, please refrain from taking photos of the injured people, unless they themselves permitted you to do so. Be respectful of other people’s privacy.

Seek Legal Representation

If you’re looking to explore your legal options, contact a car accident attorney.

Want to have your case reviewed by a highly experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney? Get in touch with Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Tips for Taking Photos Following a Car Accident appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

In minor car collisions, they’re ideally no-fuss. After the accident, there will be a quick exchange of contact numbers, insurance information, and other key details, and then that’s it. Drivers involved in the accident will let their respective insurance providers handle these matters. How convenient, don’t you think? So you might wonder, is there a need to call the police?

Actually, yes, parties involved in a car accident may still need to contact law enforcement officers. No matter how minor the accident was, you’ll still need to secure a police report on the collision. Truth be told, reporting the matter to the police will save you from the hassle later on.

While reporting to the police is imperative, what’s optional is informing the insurance provider. Parties to the accident may dispense with the intervention of the insurance companies. For instance, they may opt to have their respective damage repaired out of their own pockets.

The Importance of Securing a Police Report

A police report covers the circumstances surrounding the accident. With this document, it negates the likelihood of creating assumptions as to what happened. Thus, in the event of a legal action for recovery of damages, it effectively eliminates disputes on the turn of events.

It becomes easier to seek compensation because the police report can strengthen the case. Whether the car accident is a major or minor one, it is best to secure this piece of paper.

This unbiased account of the accident contains the following information:

• Names of the parties involved,
• Injuries sustained by the parties, if any,
• Damage to the vehicles involved,
• Time, date and place of the accident, and
• Statements of witnesses.

Here are tips when reporting a car accident to police officers.

Call 911 Immediately

If you’re involved or witnessed a car accident (especially a major, catastrophic one), the first thing you need to do is call 911. Do this even if there are no apparent injuries or damage. The purpose is to let the police officers ascertain the circumstances and write a report on the incident.

There will be an investigation as soon as the police officers will arrive. Searching questions will likely focus on who or what caused the accident and how.

Law enforcement officers will also want to obtain the personal and contact information of the involved drivers and passengers, if any. The police, however, will focus more on the driver; whether there was a likelihood that he or she drove under the influence.

Witness on the scene as well as injured bystanders will also be requested to give their personal and contact information. Statements will also be obtained.

Based on the investigation, the police officers responding at the scene will make the report.

What If There Are No Police Officers at the Scene

There may be instances when police officers don’t respond at the scene of the accident. Thus, you may need to file your own report to the police as soon as possible. In support of your narrative, taking photos and/or videos that cover all angles is highly recommended.

Collect as much evidence as may be available and necessary in support of your side of the story. This may be needed as it is not uncommon for the party at fault to change their story to evade liability.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

To cover your bases, seek legal representation from an experienced car accident lawyer. With his or her help, you can ensure that your interests and rights are protected during your action to obtain compensation for damages.

Looking for a highly experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Reporting a Car Accident to the Police appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

After getting involved in a car accident, the next logical step would be to pursue an insurance claim for damages. But before you can obtain compensation, your insurance provider might ask you a couple of things before releasing the compensable amount.

First on the list would be an investigation on your claim. To open a formal inquiry for the release of the compensation for damages, your insurance provider may require a photo inspection.

So what is a photo inspection? What are its purposes?

There are two main instances where insurance companies require photo inspection for car insurance purposes. First, there’s the pre-insurance photo inspection, and, second, it’s the insurance claims inspection following the car accident.

Pre-Insurance Photo Inspection

In some jurisdictions, car insurance companies may require a photo inspection of the vehicle before issuing an insurance policy and providing coverage. This constitutes proof of the physical condition and visible state of the vehicle to be insured at the time of the application for insurance coverage. In this manner, the photos serve to protect the car owner and car insurance company, as it makes into record the prevailing circumstances as it relates to the vehicle.

The inspector for the car insurance company may require a reading of the vehicle’s identification number. He or she may also inspect the odometer reading, check on the condition of the car, and scan for the car’s accessories, if there are any.

The car insurance inspector will record these discoveries and readings, which will form part of the application for insurance coverage. Depending on the state of your vehicle, there is a good chance you’ll get a lower cost of your car insurance coverage if you comply with the requirement for pre-insurance photo inspection.

Insurance Claims Inspection Following a Car Accident

Typically the next step following a car accident is to file a claim for damages with the car insurance company. For this reason, the insurance provider will assign a claims adjuster to investigate your claim. Part of the claims investigation procedure is the requirement of photo inspection, which shall be used to assess the extent of the damage and determine the corresponding amount of compensation.

While insurance companies follow different procedures in inspecting the claims, the idea is the same. The claims adjuster will inspect the scene of the car accident, assessing the damage of the vehicle. Alternatively he or she will go to your home, if the vehicle to inspect is there. And taking of the photos of the car will be part of the inspection process.

Some insurance companies give vehicle owners the option to take their cars to the latter’s preferred repair shop. It’s best to ask your insurance provider if it offers this recourse.

What Happens Next?

With these photos, the claims adjuster will identify the dents, scratches, or damage and determine the extent of the costs for repair. He or she will then prepare a written estimate.

If you think the estimates provided by the claims adjuster isn’t accurate, you may make an appeal. For this purpose, you need to obtain a cost estimate from an independent appraiser, to be submitted in support of your appeal.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney

Negotiating with a claims adjuster can be a lengthy and protracted process; it can be frustrating at times too. If you believe you are entitled to a higher compensable amount that what was offered, consider hiring a car accident attorney.

Want to have your case evaluated by an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Photo Inspection for Car Insurance Claims appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Because you didn’t notice the car in front of you slowed down, your car crashed into it. Whichever way you look at it, this accident was your fault. So what do you do now?

In our series of articles, we always featured scenarios where you are the party who sustained injuries or incurred damages as a result of car accidents. But what if you are the erring driver? Are you wondering what to do if the car accident was your fault? Let’s explore this context.

Getting into a car crash is scary enough by itself. But when the accident was your fault, it’s all the more stressful. You tend to feel even worse because you will likely shoulder the repair costs and other expenses for your vehicle and of the car you bumped.

When you get in a car accident, there are a few things you should do. Similarly, there are things you should never do. In this article, we will focus on those things.

What to Do

Accidents can happen, especially in fast-moving roadways where a quick moment of distraction may lead to catastrophic consequences. When it was you through your fault or negligence that set off the car accident, here are important steps to consider. These simple guidelines seek to protect your rights while saving you from hassle down the road.

Call the police. In all car accidents, whether minor or high-speed, you will need to call law enforcement officers. The reason behind this, among many others, is that you need a police report in support of your claim for compensation for damages with your insurance provider.

Check for injuries. It could be a scratch, bruise, muscle strain, or sprain. Injuries are not uncommon in car accidents. So make sure to check your person for injuries. Same goes with other people in the car. See if they suffered minor or major injuries. Call an ambulance if you’re not sure as to the severity of their injuries.

Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers. Make sure you request for these bits of information of the other drivers. Obtain their phone number, email, and insurance information whenever possible.

Take photos. Make sure to get photos of the scene of accident as well as the damage incurred by all vehicles involved. These images will come in handy when you need to file an insurance claim, among other things.

Call your insurance provider. Notify your insurance provider about the car accident.

Never Do These Things

Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. In a stressful situation such as a car accident, emotions tend to run high. Avoid getting mad or causing a scene by yelling or otherwise. Stay calm and relaxed. It can help you think better.

Never admit fault. Even if you believe it was entirely your fault, never say it was you who caused the car accident. This admission may be exploited by the other drivers, creating more liability for you.

Don’t apologize just yet. While it’s good to express regret over something you believe was your wrongdoing, don’t apologize just yet. Your apology might be construed as an admission of fault or negligence.

Never discuss the details of the accident. As a rule, only speak with the police, your insurance provider, or lawyer about the details of the accident.

Never leave the scene first. Make sure the police have investigated and made a report about the accident before leaving the scene.

In case of doubt, speak with a highly experienced car accident attorney to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

Need a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post What to Do If the Car Accident Was Your Fault? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Today’s generation is blessed with many technological platforms that allow us to reach out to family and friends even if they live far from us. With just a push of a button, we can speak with them even if we’re separated by mountains or live in different cities. Heck, today’s technology even allows us to see each other even if oceans divide us.

One of the great wonders of our time is social media. This online platform lets us see what’s going on with people’s lives. In fact, there’s a real-time video feature where you can take a peek on the happenings.

And because it’s free, people are more inclined to register with and enjoy the technology. The popular social media websites include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

While the intention of their respective creators was for connectivity, social media may have a downside. It’s not so much on the technology, which is truly amazing. Rather, the negative aspect is focused on human behavior. Here’s why.

Take the case of the victims who figured in a devastating car accident. It’s natural to seek sympathy after experiencing the horrible event. In the same way, for the family and friends, it is normal to extend concern for the plight of the car accident victims. Call it seeking emotional support or just wanting to vent out about the unfortunate event.

But talking about the car crash or sharing its details can have undesirable consequences. When you discuss the finer points about the vehicular accident on Facebook or other social media websites, you are indirectly making public statements. This can make or break your claim.

Posting on a public forum such as social media can open yourself to conflicts with the insurance provider, which can result in the loss of your claim for damages. Even as typical as posting a photo on Instagram or writing a tweet about the accident may result in a heavy blow against your case for compensation for injuries.

So what should you do? As far as social media websites are concerned, it is best to say or post nothing on these platforms. You might inadvertently mention some details, which could adversely affect your claim.

Instead of discussing what happened, keep mum and do everything in your power and capacity not to speak or mention about the accident in a public forum such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

With that being said, get in touch with a car accident attorney if you intend to pursue any legal action or want to get started on your claim for compensation. Don’t jeopardize your right to file a case on social media.

Here are 5 ways how social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can destroy your cause of action and adversely affect your right to pursue a claim for compensation for damages.

Did you know insurance companies have many detectives in their payroll? Forget the typical detectives that we usually see in the movies or TV. Detectives may come in the form of people who open social media websites to learn more about the people who filed claims against the insurance company.

Yes, insurance companies have people that lurk online. There is a good chance they could be looking at your Web footprint if you filed or manifested the intention to file a claim against any one of them. Someone from these companies will search you. Their objective: to find anything incriminating, which could ruin your claim for compensation on account of the car accident.

So you might want to avoid making these mistakes online. Here are 5 ways on how to use your social media accounts without ruining your case.

1. Refrain from posting information about your activities.

A person who is truly injured will not be going around partying. So if you have recently filed a claim against the insurance company on account of serious injuries, it wouldn’t be a good idea to post pictures of you having a great time at a club, acting like nothing’s wrong.

Even a simple photo of you during your vacation or having a backyard barbecue might be used as evidence against you. Even if your injuries are not a serious as you claim. Even if you’re already gritting your teeth in pain to get through your social commitments. The images may be used to sway the case against your favor.

2. Avoid bad-mouthing the insurance company in a public forum like social media.

It’s human nature to vent out frustrations and disappointments. Taking part in a tedious and protracted battle for insurance claims is no exception.

With the convenience of social media, one can be easily tempted to write a long post about insurance claims and the exasperation that comes along with it. This may be viewed as an act of bad faith in connection with negotiations with the insurance company.

You should never post anything that will destroy the good will and positive relations with the insurance company. Doing so may give the insurer the ground to stop negotiating with you in good faith. Even if you set the post on private, anything you put on social media may be shared and become public.

Once it’s out there, it can be difficult to take back what you said. This can be a precarious situation, which the insurance company can use to their advantage and deny your claim.

3. Don’t make comments that might be construed as admission of fault.

One great thing about social media is that it allows interaction between people. These interactions may be facilitated through its comment feature.

But if you’ve filed an insurance claim, you should be extra careful with everything you put on social media. Casual comments like “It was my fault” or “I didn’t see it coming” may be interpreted as an admission of fault. Insurance companies can work around this and deny your claim. Even if it was your fault or you played a part that led to the car crash, it is best to stay mum about it. Keep your personal assessment on legal responsibility to yourself and off social media.

4. No to oversharing.

Car crashes are terrifying, and talking about them can help ease the emotional and psychological distress. But when talking about it, limit it to your close friends and family and never on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Avoid sharing activities in which you are too cheerful like nothing awful happened. The insurance company may use this, arguing the car crash didn’t have that much negative effect on you; hence, denying your insurance claim.

5. Observe confidentiality of your information.

When you talk about your case on social media, you risk breaching the confidentiality rule. If you inadvertently discuss sensitive information, this may be used as a ground to deny your claims against the insurance company.

Looking for a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Get in touch with Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post 5 Ways Social Media Can Adversely Affect Your Car Accident Claims appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Do you post on Facebook every activity that you do? Are you the type of person who shares every thought on Twitter? Do you frequently take snapshots of your day and put it on Instagram?

Social media is such a wonderful thing. It allows people to take a peek at another person’s day. Wondering how’s your former classmates doing now? Are you curious what’s your old workmate doing nowadays? Simply go online and log on to any social media website. Chances are you’ll see these people and what they’re up to these days.

While sharing your thoughts and day-to-day stuff on social media is quite normal, oversharing may not be a good idea. Especially if you’ve just recovered after experiencing a gruesome car accident. More so, if you filed a claim or manifested an intent to pursue an action for compensation for damages or injuries.

Social media is full of potential traps for people who are asserting or have asserted their rights to obtain damages arising from a car accident. For all you know, representatives from the insurance company or any party having adverse claims may look for any proof to negate these assertions, resulting in the denial of claims.

If you have been involved in a car accident and looking to file a claim, you might want to consider keeping tabs on your actions on social media.

So what are the best ways to stay “safe” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like? Check out these simple tips.

Do you keep your social media accounts to a private setting? By doing so, you limited other people’s access to your pages. It’s a preferred setting, allowing only your current friends online to see what you post. Activate this feature to protect your social media accounts from prying eyes.

But please know that keeping your profiles private doesn’t mean everything you put in your social media accounts stay private. Someone who has access to your pages may share your content, whether inadvertently or intentionally.

Are you getting a lot of friend requests from people you don’t know? Best to ignore them. Better yet, decline or block them outright if they appear dubious. You shouldn’t be adding just anybody who sends contact requests to you. That is, unless you know them.

The period during which your insurance claims are processed can be a very critical time for you. Posting on social media websites can make or break your claims. Which is why, it is best to lay off Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during the resolution period of your insurance claims. Until it is resolved, never mention anything confidential or any matter that may cause adverse consequences against you.

If you feel the need to post, make no mention about the car accident. Nothing especially about your contributory negligence or fault, if there are any. When updating trusted family or friends, do it privately through direct messaging or private chat.

Social media accounts have this photo-tagging feature. Even if you didn’t post a pic of you, your online friends can still tag you in theirs. If this is a major concern for you, adjust your privacy settings to prevent others from tagging pics of you. Or perhaps it is best to deactivate your social media accounts in the meantime.

Looking for a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Get in touch with Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

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