Oct 01, 2022 | CHASENBOSCOLO

personal injury lawsuit deposition One of the steps in a personal injury lawsuit is deposition. Being the subject of a deposition can make people feel nervous. You may have many questions about ensuring that your deposition goes as well as possible, so your case remains strong. While it can be challenging to know whether or not your deposition went well, following a few fundamental guidelines can help keep you focused and increase your chances of success.

What Is a Deposition?

In a personal injury case, a deposition is a legal procedure that is part of the pre-trial process. Its purpose is to allow each party in the lawsuit to learn more about the other side’s theory of the case so they can better position themselves for trial.

Anyone involved in a personal injury case could be the subject of a deposition. When you are being deposed, you must appear before the opposing party’s attorney at a specified time and place. You will be required to answer questions under oath and provide true and correct information to the best of your knowledge.

How well your deposition goes depends on your ability to provide thorough and accurate information that supports your claims. If you can answer “yes” to the following questions, chances are that your deposition has gone well.

Evaluating If Your Deposition Went Well

Did You Know the Facts of the Accident?

While it may seem obvious, it is imperative that you are thoroughly familiar with the facts of the accident that caused your injuries. Because it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when you are under oath and you are facing questions from a lawyer trying to dispute your claim, you should take the time to review the information with your attorney before your deposition. At the very least, you should be able to communicate:

The date and time of the accident
The location of the accident
Any relevant road and weather conditions if it was a car crash
Information about the automobiles or other equipment involved in the accident
Relevant information from the police report, if applicable

Were You Able to Communicate Your Medical History Accurately?

Another vital element of a successful deposition is your ability to convey the facts and circumstances of your medical treatment. You should familiarize yourself with your medical records and bills, as well as information such as the number of times you went to see your doctor, specialists, surgeons, or other medical professionals who provided tests or treatments. It is also vital that you are familiar with the amount of money you have thus far spent on your treatments.

It can be helpful to provide the opposing counsel with information about the pain your injuries have caused, the degree to which they have improved with treatment, and how they have affected your day-to-day life.

Did You Correctly Relate Your Work History?

The attorney for the defense will ask you about your past employment. You should be able to provide information about your work history for the past ten to 15 years. You should also know how much work you have missed because of your injuries and the amount of money you have lost due to that missed time.

Did You Tell the Truth?

This is the most critical question, and you should be able to answer it in the affirmative. If you have been honest, you will come across as credible, which can only benefit your case. If you have been dishonest or exaggerated any aspect of what you have communicated under oath, you will have actively devalued your case.

The other side will have done thorough research about you and your history. They will know if you are less than honest.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you face a personal injury trial deposition, you must have excellent legal counsel. The experienced attorneys of CHASENBOSCOLO are ready to help you through every aspect of your case. We will make sure that you feel as prepared as possible for your deposition and do everything we can to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Our personal injury attorneys in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. are ready to speak with you and recommend you call to discuss your case as soon as possible.

Categories: Personal Injury