Social media is an important aspect of our society. In many ways it has brought the world to our fingertips. Among the many uses for it, it has found its place in legal matters, providing evidence in some cases through the profile pages and updated statuses of those that are in the midst of a trial. The advancement of social media has made many changes to the time. The effect it has had on this generation is viewable in many ways. Another extension of its ever increasing influence is through the use of personal injury law suits.

Many social media users today share information of their daily life freely with their friends and family on their page; often times failing to stop and consider the number of other people that could be reading their postings. Today with the changes in society this change is also being noted in legal trials. Evidence from social media pages is finding its way into the courtroom and providing substantial findings in a number of trials. Those plaintiffs who may have claimed that their injury has inhibited them from doing many of the normal activities they use to perform may post a picture in which they are clearly able to move about better than they have claimed. Some may send an update on twitter with the location tag on, proving they were at a certain place when they may have claimed another alibi.

Since many people leave their profiles open to the general public to read, lawyers have access to their personal information which they have been using in trial. They can showcase a discriminated photo or post that may demonstrate a strong point to the jury. For those who have chosen to make their profile viewings limited to those they give access to, some attorneys have gone to the extent of making a friend request in hopes of gaining entry into the information their Facebook page provides. In some states the action of friending a person through a fake profile or even a real profile has been deemed unethical practices. Depending on the circumstances the information gathered may or may not be used. Generally a private attorney may be able to have the findings considered while an attorney of the government may be required to disregard the evidence, however, each case is unique and it is better to stay with finding evidence that is public.

Social media has had a great impact on the culture, moving its way into many areas including legal matters. The extent of its reach has yet to be fully understood but it could provide a useful tool in many ways as well as a damaging one. While it provides many benefits, for some it can also create their downfall. Attorneys should also make a point to look into the past records of their own clients' social media life to ensure there is no damaging evidence they may be blindsided with. Personal injury [http://www.lawyer1.com/Personal-Injury.aspx] cases can be serious matters; when one individual claims that the negligence of another has resulted in their physical harm. A plaintiff may seek compensation stating that their injury from a car accident, medical malpractice or other act of negligence cost them medical bills and may have left them unable to work as a result. If a picture of them then shows up on Facebook doing outdoor activities that clearly prove they are stretching the truth about what they are actually able to do, then their case against the defendant may be disproven.