A personal injury that is caused by someone else can disrupt your life on many levels. You may be affected financially, physically, or emotionally by the injuries caused to you.
Either way, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. A lawsuit is no easy task for someone who has never experienced one. Our Ponca City personal injury lawyers are experienced and dedicated to helping our clients through your personal injury deposition so you can protect your settlement and recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Personal Injury Depositions Do Not Have to Be Intimidating
If you are thinking about or have already filed a lawsuit against another party for a personal injury, one of the steps in the process is a personal injury deposition.
You may have seen a television show or a movie where someone is being questioned in court by a defense attorney. Sometimes, these attorneys can seem a bit harsh or pushy. A deposition is something different and usually does not even take place in a courtroom.
Initially, you may believe that a personal injury deposition is something to fear, but you will realize that with the proper guidance and preparation, it is not. It is crucial to understand what a deposition is and what is expected of you during the process.
This way, you will know what to say and what not to say at the deposition. If you need guidance, please contact a personal injury lawyer at BDIW Law today for a free consultation.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYPrepare for the Deposition in Advance
The most important piece of advice that you should not ignore is to prepare yourself in advance. You will have advanced notice of the date of the deposition, which should hopefully give you plenty of time to prepare. In the deposition, you will be asked to answer many questions from the defendant’s lawyer which will be directly related to your personal injury case.
It is a good idea to write down or even practice speaking your answers out loud to help you remember everything you would like to communicate. This will help to boost your confidence. Knowing in advance what they will ask you is very helpful in your preparations.
The lawyers will most likely start by asking you some general personal information questions. Then, they will want to know your physical condition prior to the accident and will ask you about the details of the accident and what injuries you received. Lastly, they will go over in detail how the accident and the injuries you received have affected your life.
Other Essential Details About Personal Injury Depositions
The deposition usually does not take place in a court. It usually takes place in the defendant’s lawyer’s office. It is a mandatory statement that is done after the lawsuit is filed and before the court trial. It is your first opportunity to give a recorded statement to the court.
Besides a statement of the facts on how your injuries occurred and the effects, the deposition is also used by both parties to evaluate the case and discover its strengths and weaknesses for both sides. This is a crucial stage in the process as it gives both sides valuable information to prepare for the upcoming trial.
You Will Be Under Oath
You will be under oath during the deposition, so it is extremely important to always give truthful statements. All the statements that you provide will be recorded either by audio, video, or a court stenographer.
A stenographer is a person who transcribes written speech for official court use. The importance of the recorded deposition is that both parties can go back and review the statements later, and sometimes, you are even able to make changes to the deposition.
How to Conduct Yourself During a Deposition
Believe it or not, the lawyers that are deposing you will probably be very polite and patient as they are attempting to gather any useful information to use against you. It is important to conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner as well. You want to be sure to put your best foot forward as the deposition is recorded.
Do not forget that you are under oath, so always provide truthful statements. Always stick to the facts and leave out any personal feelings or emotions. Sneaky lawyers will use anything they can against you to help their client win the case, and you are more likely to stay clear of that by just sticking to the facts when asked a question.
Try to be mindful and consider why the lawyers are asking specific questions and how they could use your statements against you later in court. Do not rush through your personal injury deposition. You may feel overwhelmed and nervous and may just want it to be over with, but taking your time is very important.
After each question is asked, take a moment to think about your answers before you speak so that you do not omit anything vital to the case. If you take the time to prepare in advance, this will help you remember everything you want to say.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer to Assist You Today
A deposition can be an overwhelming process. There are numerous aspects of the process to navigate, and sometimes it can be tricky. That is why it is a very wise decision to seek assistance with your personal injury case. Our team can provide you with more information about personal injury depositions in Oklahoma when you contact us for a free consultation.
If you are in the process of a personal injury case or if you are thinking about filing one, you may need legal advice. At BDIW Law, we are a dedicated and professional firm with many decades of personal injury claims experience. We are Oklahoma’s premier personal injury law firm, and we are ready and available to guide you through the deposition process.
You may be suffering in many aspects of your life due to a personal injury, and you may be entitled to compensation. At BDIW Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations. Call our office today or fill out our convenient contact form to begin your case evaluation.
