When you and your Florida personal injury attorney file a lawsuit against the insurance company, both parties are permitted to collect evidence during what is known as the “discovery process.” Depositions are part of this process.
What is a deposition and how can you prepare for yours? Here are five tips to help you get ready.
What Is a Deposition?
In the context of a personal injury lawsuit against an insurance company, a deposition is a pre-trial interview conducted under oath. During your deposition, your attorney and the attorney for the insurance company will ask you a series of questions. Your answers to these questions will form your testimony, which will be recorded.
Review All Relevant Documents
During your deposition, the attorney for the insurance company will ask you all kinds of questions about your case. The answers you give could influence how the court views your lawsuit, so it is best to be prepared.
You can start preparing by reviewing documents like accident reports, medical records, notes or journal entries you wrote after your accident, and any other documents that could be relevant.
Take Your Time with Each Answer
Depositions are often high-stress situations, so when you start answering questions under oath, you need to remember to slow down. You do not need to answer questions quickly. Do not let yourself be intimidated into reacting instead of giving a thoughtful answer.
Make Sure You Understand a Question Before Answering
Some of the questions you hear will be confusing. If you do not understand what a question means, do not answer it. You are allowed to ask for clarification before giving an answer. If you do not ask for clarity, you could give an answer that you regret.
Keep Answers Short and to the Point
When the opposing attorney is asking you questions, they want you to volunteer more information than you need to. They want you to make their job easier, to trip yourself up with contradictions.
To avoid doing their heavy lifting, keep your answers succinct and stick to the point. You do not need to tell them the whole story or give them your opinion. Wait until your Florida personal injury attorney has a chance to question you. They will try to flesh out any answers that may leave room for interpretation.
Know What Questions to Expect
Every case is unique. However, you can expect to hear several common lines of questioning.
You can expect the opposing attorney to ask you about your injuries, whether you have pre-existing conditions or previous injuries, what your treatment has been, how your injuries have restricted you from work or enjoyment, and how much your injuries have cost you in medical bills and lost income, among other questions.
Talk to a Florida Personal Injury Attorney Today
Are you unsatisfied with what the insurance company has offered you for your claim? Contact us today so that we can discuss your case.