What Should I Say During My Personal Injury Deposition?

Were you injured in a car accident and filed a lawsuit for damages? You’ll likely need to submit to a deposition. Here’s what you should know about what a deposition is and how you should answer questions.

Deposition 101

A deposition is a legal recording of witness statements. An attorney asks the witness questions about the incident, much like an interrogation, and the witness provides their version of events. The deposition is then used as evidence in a case.

How to Answer Questions During Your Deposition

Being deposed can be a nerve-wracking experience. Follow these tips:

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “I Don’t Know”

If you aren’t sure of something or can’t remember exactly, you can say “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember.” You don’t have to try to piece together the facts to figure out what happened.

Ask for Clarification

If you don’t understand a question, ask to have it repeated or rephrased. You should never answer a question that you’re not completely confident you have understood correctly.

Avoid Giving Exaggerated Facts or Opinions

It can be tempting to give your version of what you think happened during your deposition, but this often leads to exaggerated facts or opinions, neither of which are helpful to your case. Allow the facts to speak for themselves by simply stating them.

Keep Your Answers Succinct

Don’t elaborate on your answers, even if the room goes quiet and the lawyer takes their time looking through files to find the next question to ask. Silence may be uncomfortable, however, a lengthy answer can give the other side more they can use to try to trip you up. Keep your answers as short and sweet as possible.

Be Professional

Since your deposition is a legal recording that is filed as case evidence, it may be listened to by other attorneys, judges, and jurors who may work on your case. It’s important that you take your deposition seriously and be as professional as possible.

Should You Contact an Attorney After Your Car Accident?

If you or a loved one were hurt in a motor vehicle collision, it’s in your best interest to consult with a Florida personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights. Your lawyer can help you prepare for your deposition and conduct other witness depositions to use as evidence in your suit. Call Frank D. Butler today to schedule a consultation at 800-253-2531.