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As a car accident victim, you may be asked to participate in a deposition. A deposition is a sworn out-of-court testimony given by a witness. A deposition is usually held at a court reporter’s office. The plaintiff’s lawyer is present and so is the defendant’s lawyer. Usually, the defendant’s lawyer schedules the deposition of the plaintiff. The defendant’s lawyer is allowed to ask the plaintiff questions related to the case, and the plaintiff must answer truthfully while under oath. The plaintiff’s lawyer can also ask questions. The answers are recorded and transcribed by the court reporter.
Depositions are part of the discovery process, which is a pretrial investigation into the facts of a case. The discovery phase allows all parties to gather information and evidence that may be used at trial.
If you have been asked to participate in a deposition, it is important to understand what to expect. Depositions are usually conducted by an attorney for the other side or opposing counsel. The deposition will be recorded, and you will be placed under oath. The attorney will ask you questions about the accident and your injuries. You should answer these questions truthfully. If you do not know the answer to a question, simply say that you do not know or cannot remember.
You may feel nervous about participating in a deposition. However, it is important to remember that you are not on trial. The purpose of a deposition is simply to gather information. With the help of an experienced car accident attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected during the deposition process.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today. Our experienced Pensacola car accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Whatever your concerns are about your recent car accident in Florida, we have answers. Our law firm has helped many others through similar situations. Injured in a car accident? We “Bring It” to reckless and careless drivers.
Call us today for a free consultation with our Pensacola car accident lawyers to discuss your legal issues.
What is a deposition and how long will it last?
A deposition is an opportunity for an attorney to question a witness in detail about the facts of the case. The witness may be the plaintiff, defendant, someone at the scene of the crash, police officers, or other witnesses. The questions will be asked under oath, and the answers given will be recorded by a court reporter. A deposition can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
In Person or Written Depositions?
Most depositions are conducted in person. However, in some cases, a written deposition may be used. This usually happens when the witness is unable to participate in an in-person deposition due to distance or scheduling conflicts and will respond to written questions.
What is the purpose of a deposition?
The purpose of a deposition is to gather information as part of personal injury civil procedure. A deposition allows the attorney to ask questions of the witnesses and gather information about the accident. The attorney will ask you questions about the accident, your injuries, and your treatment. A witness might also be asked to confirm information included in documents about the accident, like a police report.
Before the oral examination begins, you will be asked to swear to tell the truth. The attorney will then begin asking questions.
A deposition can be a stressful experience. However, it is important to remember that you are under oath and you must tell the truth. Lying during a deposition can have serious consequences.
If you have any questions about your deposition, you should speak with an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney can help you prepare for your deposition and ensure that your rights are protected.
What sort of questions will I be asked at a deposition?
The attorney may ask you questions about the accident, your injuries, and your treatment. The attorney may also ask you questions about your work history, your family, your educational background, your criminal background, or your personal life. They may also ask questions about how the accident happened and whether you’ve previously been involved in a personal injury case.
Example Questions About How the Car Accident Happened
The attorney will ask you how the accident happened. They may ask you to describe the events leading up to the accident and what happened immediately after the accident.
Some of these questions may include:
- What were you doing just before the accident happened?
- Where were you going when the accident happened?
- How fast were you driving when the accident happened?
- Did you see the other car before the accident happened?
- What did you do after the accident happened?
- Did you go to the hospital after the accident happened?
Example Questions About Your Injuries
The attorney will ask you about your injuries. They may ask how your injuries have affected your life, work, and family. They will also ask about your medical treatment, including any surgeries you may have had.
Some of these questions may include:
- What injuries did you sustain in the accident?
- How have your injuries affected your life?
- Have you been able to return to work since the accident happened?
- What kind of medical treatment have you received for your injuries?
- Have you had any surgeries for your injuries?
- What medications are you taking for your injuries?
Example Questions About Your Work History
The attorney will ask you about your work history. They may ask how the accident has affected your ability to work. They will also ask about your job duties and your income.
Some of these questions may include:
- What is your current job?
- What are your job duties?
- How much money do you make?
- Have you been able to return to work since the accident happened?
- What type of work are you able to do since the accident happened?
Example Questions About Your Criminal Background
The attorney may ask you about your criminal background. They may ask about any arrests or convictions you have. While questions like this seem intrusive, the courts allow them as part of the discovery process.
Some of these questions may include:
- Have you ever been arrested?
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
- What type of crimes have you been convicted of?
Example Questions About Your Personal Life and Family
The attorney may ask you about your personal life. They may ask about your hobbies, your social life, and your relationships.
Some of these questions may include:
- Are you married?
- Do you have children?
- Who currently lives with you?
How to Answer Deposition Questions
You should answer the questions honestly and to the best of your ability. If you do not know the answer to a question, simply say that you do not know. You should not guess at the answer to a question. If you do not know the answer, say so.
How many times do I have to give my deposition for a car wreck?
Even if you are suing more than one person, the general rule is that a plaintiff is only required to give one deposition. The same rule applies if there is one defendant or five.
When your lawyer schedules your deposition, he or she will coordinate with each defendant. You only have to appear for one deposition. But, each defendant (or his or her attorney) can question you that day. That means you only have to appear one time, but you may have to answer questions from more than one attorney.
Your attorney will be with you at the deposition. He or she can object if one attorney asks questions that you have already answered.
How to Prepare for a Car Accident Deposition
You should talk to your attorney about what to expect at your deposition. Your attorney can help you prepare for the questions that will be asked and let you know what you should do if they object to leading questions.
It is important to remember that you are under oath when you give your deposition. That means that you must tell the truth. If you lie during your deposition, it can be used against you later.
Stick to the Facts
You should also be prepared to talk about sensitive topics. The attorney may ask you about your personal life, your criminal history, and your work history. You should be honest when you answer these questions and stick to the facts. Don’t volunteer information you haven’t been asked about or use a deposition as an opportunity to “tell your side of the story.”
You should also be prepared to answer questions about the accident. The attorney will ask you how the accident happened and what injuries you received. You should be able to describe the accident in detail.
Dress Professionally and Take Your Time Answering
You should dress professionally for your deposition. You want to make a good impression on the people who will be questioning you.
You may be asked to review pictures or documents related to the accident. You should take your time when you are reviewing these items. If you do not understand something, you should ask the attorney to explain it to you.
The deposition may last for several hours. You should take breaks as needed. And, you should make sure that you are well rested and eat before the deposition so that you do not get hungry during questioning.
What Happens After the Deposition?
After the deposition, you will be given a copy of the transcript. You should review the transcript to make sure that everything you said was accurately recorded.
If there are any errors in the transcript, you can ask the court reporter to make corrections.
If you are concerned about anything that was said during the deposition, you should talk to your Pensacola car accident attorney. Your attorney can help you decide what to do next.
How to Get Help After a Car Accident
If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence in Florida, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused the accident. At Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, we can help you understand your legal options. Our Pensacola car accident lawyers can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. Our Florida law firm will fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Pensacola car accident lawyer to discuss the details of your car wreck and whether filing a personal injury lawsuit is right for you and your family.
The Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers Satisfaction Guarantee
It isn’t ethical for a law firm to make a specific guarantee for the outcome of your car accident case, and neither can we. But we can give you a satisfaction guarantee. Our law office is so committed to quality work, personal attention and client satisfaction that we offer every new client this satisfaction guarantee. If you are not 100% completely satisfied with the way we treat you and your personal injury claim during the first 30 days after hiring our firm, you can take your file. We will charge no attorney fees or expenses, and there will be no questions asked.
You can’t lose. Contact Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to learn how we can help you with your car accident case in Pensacola, Florida.