You probably don’t think of yourself as a “brand” but in some ways your reputation or your “brand” affect quite a great deal in your life. For example, if you have the reputation of being an excellent employee at work, that is part of your brand and it may help you land a promotion. You also likely have a brand online, based in part on your social networking activities and any websites you have.

If you have been in a car accident and are seeking legal action or a personal injury settlement after the accident, your brand may be very important. Your brand can help your attorney establish you as a reliable and honest person who has been injured in an accident. Your brand as an honest, responsible person can also make any testimony you give in a court carry more weight. In fact, your personal brand becomes very important in a personal injury case and you will want to take steps to protect that brand. There are many ways to do this:

1) Avoid social networking after your accident. If you have filed a claim after your accident, be careful about social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Several claimants have had problems in recent years due to their online activities. Always assume that all attorneys and members of the court can see your online pages. If you present yourself as a hard-working person who is distressed at not being able to work but your social networking sites show someone who loves to party and hates their job, this can make your case more challenging. Similarly, if you are injured but your Facebook page shows you at a party, this can affect your case.

2) Check friend social networking sites. Even if you are careful about social networking or have stopped your online activities entirely during your case, keep in mind that your contacts and friends may still have contact about you on their pages. You cannot control what others say about you on their pages, but do check the websites and social networking sites of friends and contacts. Where possible, ask friends and contacts to remove and content that can make you appear in a less-than-flattering light.

3) Speak to your attorney about any problems that may affect your brand or case. If you have been convicted of drunk driving in the past, or have other things in your history or current situation that can affect your case, talk to your Florida personal injury attorney. He or she can offer advice and help.

4) Consider your brand closely. Now that you understand how branding works, consider your brand carefully. When taking photos of your injury, for example, consider the background of your photo. Try to keep it as neutral as possible. Consider that even something very innocuous – such as a beer can in the background – can subtly affect your case.