Depositions are an important part of trial preparations after an auto accident. They involve being questioned about your accident, your injuries, medical treatment, and more. Knowing what to expect will help you be prepared to handle this meeting alongside your personal injury lawyer. Read on to learn more.
Depositions in Brief
These meetings are somewhat informal and usually take place in a law office conference room. Those being deposed are sworn to be truthful and everything is recorded. What is said at the deposition can be used in court later. Other potential participants include eyewitnesses to the wreck, medical personnel, law enforcement officers, and others.
What Is in Dispute?
Almost all personal injury cases settle outside of court. Even if you begin the trial there is a chance you will be offered a good settlement from the other side and the trial will end. However, the fact that you are being deposed is a clear indicator of disputed facts about the accident. It might be that you each say the other party is at fault for the accident. Or the other side may be balking at paying you what you and your personal injury lawyer believe you are owed. You need to know what facts are being disputed because the questioning is sure to revolve around that issue. In some cases, more than one issue is in dispute. Your lawyer can help you understand what to expect regarding questioning.
Handling the Questioning
You will be questioned by your lawyer and by the lawyer for the other driver or their insurance company. Your lawyers will likely begin with some easy questions to get you used to the situation and lay some groundwork about the accident. Be ready to answer questions about how the accident occurred, a summary of your injuries and the resulting medical treatment, and how your injuries are doing today.
The other side may zero in on disputed issues right away. You may be asked to speak in greater detail about what happened the day of the accident and your medical issues. It's best to review the accident report and your medical treatment records to refresh yourself before the deposition. You are allowed to take information with you to help you refresh your memory of details.
Be careful answering questions, no matter who they come from. Don't answer anything but the exact question being asked. Don't elaborate or ramble on – know when to stop talking. When you need to stop for a while, let your lawyer know you need a break. This can be a nerve-wracking experience for many.
To find out more about how your deposition might go, speak to a lawyer like Aldridge Teasdale PLLC.
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