Monthly Archives: April 2025

How Social Media Can Hurt Your Mississippi Car Accident Case

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Why What You Post Online Can Undermine Your Injury Claim

After a car accident in Mississippi, your first thought is usually recovery—not how your Facebook or Instagram posts might affect your legal case. But what you share online can quickly become a liability. Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor accident victims’ social media profiles for anything that can be used to deny or reduce a claim. Even innocent photos or comments can be twisted to make it appear like your injuries aren’t serious or that you’re partly at fault.

Knowing what not to post—and why—can protect your right to full compensation.

Why Insurance Companies Monitor Social Media

Once you file a car accident injury claim, your life becomes open to scrutiny. Insurance adjusters may search your social media accounts, looking for anything that contradicts your official statements. They’re trying to:

  • Undermine your credibility

  • Prove that your injuries are not as severe as claimed

  • Show that you were engaged in activities inconsistent with your injury

  • Find evidence that might suggest fault or risky behavior

Anything you post—photos, comments, check-ins, or tags—can be taken out of context and used as evidence against you.

Examples of Social Media Posts That Can Harm Your Case

Photos of You Looking “Healthy” or Active

If you claim you’re unable to work or participate in daily activities due to the accident, but then post pictures of yourself at a family gathering, walking on the beach, or lifting a child, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are exaggerated—or nonexistent.

Comments About the Accident

Even seemingly harmless comments like “It wasn’t that bad” or “I should’ve been paying more attention” can damage your case. These types of posts can be interpreted as admissions of fault or downplaying your injuries.

Sharing Details About Your Claim or Settlement

Posting about conversations with your attorney, medical progress, or anticipated settlement amounts can violate confidentiality and give the opposing side insight into your legal strategy.

Being Tagged in Other People’s Posts

You might not post anything yourself, but if someone else tags you in a photo or check-in that contradicts your injury claims, it can be just as damaging.

How Courts View Social Media Evidence in Mississippi

In Mississippi, social media content is considered discoverable evidence, meaning the other side can request access to your posts during the litigation process. Even if your profile is set to private, the court may compel you to turn over relevant content if it relates to your injuries, lifestyle, or damages.

Deleting posts after the accident may also raise red flags and could be seen as an attempt to destroy evidence, which can hurt your credibility.

Best Practices for Social Media After a Car Accident

To protect your personal injury claim, it’s important to take the following precautions:

  • Avoid posting entirely until your case is resolved

  • Do not accept friend requests from people you don’t know

  • Ask friends and family not to tag you in photos or posts

  • Avoid discussing any part of your case online, including medical treatment or attorney meetings

  • Review your privacy settings—but don’t rely on them to keep posts hidden from legal discovery

If in doubt, assume that anything you post could be read aloud in court or shown to a claims adjuster.

How Legal Representation Helps Protect You

An experienced personal injury attorney can help guide you on what to avoid and how to preserve the integrity of your case. They can also respond to improper discovery requests or limit what social media content must be shared. In a serious car accident claim, where compensation may involve thousands in medical bills and lost wages, protecting your online presence becomes part of your legal strategy.

Call Attorney Bill Kellum For a Free Consultation!

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Mississippi and the other driver is lying about what happened, your claim could be at risk. The attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. are ready to help protect your rights and build the strongest case possible. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options today.

Contact our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to discuss your options and secure the compensation you deserve.

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
1438 North State St.
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 969-2709
DIRECTIONS

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
617 Market St.
Port Gibson, MS 39150
(601) 590-9000

What to Do If the At-Fault Driver Lies About the Mississippi Car Accident

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Protecting Your Rights When the Other Driver Gives a False Version of Events

After a car accident in Mississippi, you expect everyone involved to tell the truth. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. If the at-fault driver lies about what happened, it can put your claim at risk—especially if you’re seeking compensation for injuries or property damage. Insurance companies may hesitate to pay, and liability may be disputed. However, you’re not powerless. There are specific steps you can take to protect your rights and build a strong case when the other driver’s version of events doesn’t match reality.

Why a Driver Might Lie After a Car Accident

Some drivers lie to avoid taking responsibility, especially if they were:

  • Driving without insurance or a valid license

  • Under the influence of drugs or alcohol

  • Distracted or texting while driving

  • Speeding or violating traffic laws

  • Facing points on their license or a history of accidents

Lying might seem like a way to dodge financial or legal consequences, but it can lead to serious problems—especially for injured victims seeking fair compensation.

How to Protect Your Rights If the Other Driver Is Lying

1. Call the Police and Get a Crash Report

Always call law enforcement to the scene, even if the damage appears minor. A Mississippi Uniform Crash Reportbecomes a key piece of evidence. The responding officer will gather statements, document the scene, and sometimes issue citations. If the other driver lies, the officer’s neutral observations can help support your version of events.

If you suspect the other driver is lying to police, calmly provide your version of events, correct any false information on the record, and ask the officer to include your statement in the report.

2. Collect Evidence at the Scene

Your best defense against a dishonest driver is solid evidence. If you’re able, take the following steps at the scene:

  • Take clear photos of vehicle damage, license plates, debris, and the surrounding area

  • Get contact information from all witnesses and ask if they’re willing to provide a statement

  • Write down everything you remember about how the crash occurred

  • Note the positions of the vehicles, traffic signs, and weather or lighting conditions

This information can help counter false statements later.

3. Request a Copy of the Police Report

Once the report is available, get a copy and review it carefully. If it supports your version of events or includes inconsistencies in the other driver’s statement, it becomes valuable evidence during the insurance claims process or in court.

If the report contains incorrect information, you can request a correction or add a written supplement to clarify your side.

4. Preserve All Evidence Related to the Accident

Keep records of:

  • Medical visits and diagnoses

  • Car repair estimates or invoices

  • Communications with insurance companies

  • Witness statements and photos

  • Dash cam footage, if available

The more documentation you have, the stronger your position will be if the insurance company questions fault.

5. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your own insurer, even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Provide all the evidence you’ve gathered and explain that the other driver is giving a false version of events. Your insurance adjuster may perform an independent investigation and can also help challenge the other driver’s claims.

6. Watch What You Say to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

If you’re contacted by the other driver’s insurer, be careful about what you say. Do not give a recorded statement without legal advice. Insurers may try to twist your words or pressure you to accept partial fault.

When False Statements Lead to Denied or Delayed Claims

If the insurance company sides with the other driver or refuses to offer fair compensation because of conflicting accounts, legal action may be the next step. In Mississippi, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can help gather additional evidence, interview witnesses, and bring in accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your case.

Why Legal Representation Can Make a Difference

When you’re dealing with a dishonest driver, a legal team can help level the playing field. Attorneys can:

  • Obtain and review police reports

  • Subpoena traffic camera footage or 911 records

  • Conduct depositions to expose inconsistencies in the other driver’s story

  • Hire accident reconstructionists to provide scientific analysis

  • Deal with insurance companies that are reluctant to pay due to conflicting accounts

Call Attorney Bill Kellum For a Free Consultation!

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Mississippi and the other driver is lying about what happened, your claim could be at risk. The attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. are ready to help protect your rights and build the strongest case possible. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options today.

Contact our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to discuss your options and secure the compensation you deserve.

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
1438 North State St.
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 969-2709
DIRECTIONS

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
617 Market St.
Port Gibson, MS 39150
(601) 590-9000

Why Delaying Medical Treatment Can Hurt Your Mississippi Car Accident Claim

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After a car accident in Mississippi, it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed or confused—especially if injuries don’t appear serious right away. However, waiting too long to seek medical attention can have serious consequences for both your health and your ability to recover compensation. In car accident claims, medical documentation is one of the most important pieces of evidence. If there’s a delay between the crash and your treatment, insurance companies may use that gap to deny or reduce your claim.

How Immediate Medical Treatment Protects Your Health and Legal Rights

1. It Links Your Injuries Directly to the Crash

When you seek medical care right after an accident, your records will show the timing and cause of your injuries. This creates a clear connection between the crash and your medical condition. On the other hand, if you wait days or weeks before seeing a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were caused by something else or that you weren’t really hurt.

This is especially true for soft tissue injuries, back injuries, concussions, and internal trauma—conditions that might not present symptoms right away but can worsen without treatment. Without prompt documentation, proving these injuries were crash-related becomes more difficult.

2. It Prevents Insurance Companies From Downplaying Your Injuries

Insurance adjusters are trained to look for reasons to limit payouts. A delay in medical treatment is often used against injury victims. If you didn’t go to the hospital, visit urgent care, or see your primary doctor soon after the crash, the insurer might claim:

  • Your injuries are not serious

  • You recovered quickly and don’t need additional treatment

  • Your condition was pre-existing or unrelated to the crash

By getting evaluated immediately and following your doctor’s treatment plan, you reduce the chances of the insurance company minimizing your claim.

3. It Provides a Clear Record of Your Injuries and Treatment

Consistent medical documentation plays a major role in determining the value of your claim. The more thorough your medical records are, the easier it is to prove:

  • The severity of your injuries

  • The treatments and medications you received

  • Your prognosis and future medical needs

  • How your injuries affect your ability to work or enjoy life

If you wait too long to start treatment—or stop treatment early—the insurance company may argue that you weren’t seriously hurt or that you failed to mitigate your damages.

4. It Protects You from Delayed Injury Symptoms

Some injuries take time to show symptoms. It’s common for accident victims to feel fine at the scene but experience pain or other issues hours or days later. This is especially true for:

  • Whiplash and neck strain

  • Concussions and head injuries

  • Internal bleeding or organ damage

  • Spinal injuries

Getting checked by a doctor ensures that hidden injuries are diagnosed early and can be treated before they become more serious. It also protects your legal claim by creating a timely record of those injuries.

What To Do If You’ve Already Delayed Treatment

If you didn’t seek immediate treatment, it’s still important to see a doctor as soon as possible. When you do, be honest about the accident and when your symptoms began. Explain any delays and continue attending follow-up appointments.

Document everything, including:

  • Dates of all medical visits

  • Names of providers and specialists

  • Treatment plans and prescriptions

  • Out-of-pocket costs and co-pays

  • Work restrictions or disability caused by the injury

Your medical records, even if treatment was delayed, can still support your case with the help of an attorney who understands how to address the insurance company’s arguments.

Call Attorney Bill Kellum For a Free Consultation!

If you were hurt in a Mississippi car accident, don’t wait to get medical attention—it protects both your health and your legal claim. If you’re concerned about how a delay might affect your case, the attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. can help. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to understand your rights and explore your options for compensation.

Contact our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to discuss your options and secure the compensation you deserve.

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
1438 North State St.
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 969-2709
DIRECTIONS

Kellum Law Firm, P.C.
617 Market St.
Port Gibson, MS 39150
(601) 590-9000