How You Can Be Ready For Your Personal Injury Deposition

29 July 2022

Many auto accident cases settle out of court. The ones that don't, though, often end up in court. A court case can be instrumental in awarding victims the money damages they deserve. If you were hit by another driver and are suing them, you might need to appear at a deposition. Read on so that you can be ready.  

Depositions Are Good 

Before you become concerned about the deposition, know that it has several advantages and it's not as scary as you might think. A deposition allows both sides to question the parties and witnesses in an accident. It's part of the evidence-gathering practice known as discovery.

One major advantage of a deposition is the way it puts the evidence out there for both sides to view in a manner that settlement negotiations may not have done. When the other side gets a good look at what your personal injury lawyer intends to produce as evidence in court, they may reconsider and make you a newer, better offer.

A deposition also allows you to show the human side of the accident. For the first time, you can give a voice to the trauma, pain, and distress resulting from the other driver's actions. In your own words, you can talk about your injuries and how they continue to affect your life. You can talk about how your accident has affected your family too. That sort of testimony is very compelling for the other side and later in court. If you do a good job showing the depth of your damages, the other side may offer you a better settlement. They surely will want to avoid having your testimony presented to a jury that could end up paying you even more than you hoped.

Tips for Your Deposition

Be ready with these deposition tips:

1. Study up on your paperwork. You may, by now, have a fat file of accident-related paperwork. Go through the pile and revisit the day of the accident, your medical treatment, and everything else that has happened since.
2. Review the way the accident has changed your life. It might be helpful to write some short summaries of how you and your loved ones are affected by the actions of the other driver.
3. Speak with your personal injury lawyer. They have been to many depositions and can help you prepare. Discuss with your lawyer what questions to expect, how to behave during questioning, and how to remain calm no matter what.

To learn more, speak to your personal injury lawyer.