Social Media Evidence in a Michigan Personal Injury Case

Social posts, photographs, messages, and other account records can become relevant in a personal injury case. The practical priorities are preservation, truthful communication, and responding through proper legal procedures—not deleting material or assuming a private account is beyond discovery.

Preserve before making changes

Do not delete, alter, or ask others to remove potentially relevant content because it appears unfavorable. Tell your lawyer about the material and obtain preservation guidance before changing account settings or content.

Keep original photographs, messages, dates, and context. A cropped screenshot can omit information needed to understand what happened. The Michigan court rules provide the framework for discovery and evidence-related obligations; individual requests require case-specific review.

Be thoughtful about new activity

Posts can be misunderstood when separated from the surrounding circumstances. Avoid discussing legal advice, settlement negotiations, or the claim publicly. Tell counsel about tagged photographs or relevant posts by others rather than attempting to control the record informally.

An isolated photograph showing an activity does not necessarily describe the whole recovery. Preserve its context so the evidence can be explained accurately. Do not stage or exaggerate limitations to create favorable material.

Handle access requests properly

• Save the actual request and response deadline.
• Discuss scope, relevance, privacy, and objections with your lawyer.
• Do not assume a password demand is automatically proper or provide credentials casually.
• Use the agreed secure method for supplying records.
• Continue preserving relevant material while the request is addressed.

Use a complete evidence approach

See original photograph preservation and common claim mistakes. If a lawsuit has begun, the litigation guide explains where discovery fits into the process. Account privacy can be important, but it does not replace legal preservation obligations.

Talk with Logeman & Iafrate

Request a free consultation or call (734) 994-0200 to discuss your situation with our Ann Arbor office. Bring the relevant records and any insurer correspondence. Advice about your claim depends on the facts, coverage, and applicable deadlines.

General information only; this article is not legal advice for an individual case.

Should I delete an unfavorable post?

No. Preserve relevant content and discuss its context with counsel.

Do private settings mean records cannot be requested?

No. Relevance, scope, legal procedures, and applicable protections must be evaluated.