After a crash or serious injury, your life changes fast. You are hurt. You face mounting medical bills. You may worry about lost income. You search for a personal injury lawyer in Richmond to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.
Many people do not know that insurance companies and defense lawyers look for ways to reduce what you can recover. Two big tools they use are surveillance and social media. They use what they find to challenge your injury claims, lower your settlement offer, or deny liability. Understanding this can help you protect your case and your future.
At The Johnson Injury Firm, we have decades of experience handling injury claims and fighting the tactics opposing parties use. Our Richmond, VA personal injury attorneys work to protect injured people from unfair defenses, such as intrusive surveillance and social media attacks.
Why Insurance Companies Watch You
Insurance companies are in the business of profit, not compassion. They hire private investigators and adjusters to watch injured people. Their goal is simple: find evidence that you are not as hurt as you say. That is true for car accidents, truck wrecks, and other personal injury claims.
Here is how they use surveillance:
- They follow you in public to record videos of your daily activities
- They take photos or video in public places without your consent
- They monitor your movements to see if they can claim you are not limited by your injuries
Even short clips of you walking, bending, lifting, or playing with your children can be taken out of context. Insurance companies use this content to argue that your injuries are minor or exaggerated. This can drastically reduce what your claim is worth.
Social Media Is Not Private
Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers check public social media profiles every day. Even seemingly innocent posts can damage a case. They search for anything they can use against you, including:
- Photos of you smiling, traveling, or doing physical activities
- Posts that reference your injury or recovery
- Check-ins at events, restaurants, or gyms
Posts like these may be used to argue that you are not suffering or that your recovery is better than what you report. What you post might be interpreted to mean your injuries are not real or not serious. It is not fair. It is not about truth. It is about what the defense can use to reduce your compensation.
Real Risks To Your Injury Claim
Insurance adjusters use surveillance and social media to create a narrative that weakens your case. They will:
- Watch for any sign you are active or not in pain
- Cut and edit videos to make them seem worse for you
- Use photos of you that seem inconsistent with your medical records
If they succeed, your injury lawyer in Richmond must work harder to prove your true condition. This increases legal costs and stress at a time when you need support, not conflict.
What To Do Immediately After A Crash
Your conduct matters. What you do after an injury helps your case. Follow these steps:
- Seek medical care right away. Your health comes first. A doctor’s record also creates proof of your injury
- Do not give full written or recorded statements to adjusters without a lawyer. Insurance companies use every word against you
- Limit all social media use. If you must post, lock down your privacy settings. Do not post photos, videos, or comments about your injury or recovery
- Tell your friends and family not to post anything about your case. Defense teams look at friends’ posts too
- Contact us. Our team knows how to secure evidence and legally respond to surveillance attacks and social media arguments
How We Protect Your Claim
At The Johnson Injury Firm, our experienced Richmond, VA personal injury attorneys know the defense tactics insurance companies use. We take a proactive approach:
- We collect your medical records and evidence early
- We preserve important documentation before it can be challenged
- We advise clients on what to avoid posting or sharing
- We build a strong narrative that aligns with your medical care, symptoms, and limitations
- We push back on unfair surveillance evidence
Our attorneys have recovered millions for injured clients. We do not let insurance companies set the narrative about your injury. We fight for maximum compensation.
Common Mistakes People Make Online
Insurance defense teams are skilled at digging through online content. These are mistakes that can weaken your claim:
- Posting gym photos or workout videos
- Posting party, travel, or sporting event content
- Listing details about your injuries or claim on forums
- Sharing memes that mention pain, recovery, or lawsuits
- Commenting on friends’ posts about your case
Even private posts can slip into public view through shares or screenshots. The best practice is to stay off all social media until your claim resolves.
When Surveillance Happens
Surveillance is most common in cases where:
- Large settlements are possible
- Your injuries are subjective, like pain or soft tissue damage
- You returned to work but still claim limitations
- You post about your life online
Defense teams will watch you in public places. They may follow your car or take long range photos. They then use this material to argue you are exaggerating your injuries, even if what they show is not evidence of wellness.
Your Rights In Richmond, Virginia
Under Virginia law, insurance companies must follow rules. They cannot harass you, record private conversations without consent, or break privacy laws. They can only use what you make public or what they capture in public places. A skilled injury lawyer in Richmond knows how to challenge improper surveillance evidence and put it into proper context.
The Johnson Injury Firm has deep experience in Virginia’s courts and insurance systems. We use that knowledge to make sure the defense cannot misrepresent your situation.
Reach Out To Us
Insurance companies have teams watching you. You should have a team watching out for you. Our firm is local. We know Richmond and Virginia law. We know how defense lawyers think. We know how to protect injury victims.
If your claim is at risk because of surveillance or social media, call us for a free consultation. We will explain your rights. We will help you protect your claim. We will fight to make sure insurance companies do not win by default.
Contact The Johnson Injury Firm Today for trusted, actionable advice from the personal injury lawyers Richmond, VA knows for compassionate support and aggressive representation.
