If you are involved in a personal injury lawsuit in any way, you will most likely have to give a deposition at some point. It is important to understand the process and your rights before a deposition. If you know a little bit more about the process works, things may go a lot smoother.
What is a Deposition?
A deposition is conducted before a trial and used to find out what a witness knows about the lawsuit. The information given at a deposition will be recorded by a court reporting agency so that it’s preserved. This is just in case the witness is unable to attend the trial or tries to change his or her statement later on.
What Happens at a Deposition?
During a deposition, a person will be put under oath and asked questions by attorneys from both sides. The questions and answers will be recorded and transcribed into written versions of the conversation by a court reporter New York attorneys can rely on. In some cases, videos of the deposition are requested by the attorneys.
What Kinds of Questions Are Asked During a Deposition?
There are many types of questions that can be asked at depositions in personal injury lawsuits. These questions are usually short and get to the point very quickly. This way, no time is wasted and the person being questioned can answer in a timely fashion.
Who Might be Asked to Attend a Deposition?
Many types of witnesses may be asked to attend a deposition, like doctors who treated the plaintiff. They may be asked about the plaintiff’s prognosis and the types of treatments he or she has received for the injuries. These doctors may also be asked about any permanent injuries that the plaintiff suffered from the accident.
Both sides can call lay witnesses who they believe were involved in the accident in one way or another.
It is helpful for a witness to come to a deposition with an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can protect that person’s rights and make sure no illegal questions are being asked. A personal injury case can be won or lost because of just one deposition. If you are asked to attend a deposition, contact a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. He or she can prepare you for the questions you will be asked and make you feel a lot more comfortable about the entire situation.
