If you are moving forward with a personal injury lawsuit, it is very likely that you will have to give a deposition at some point. We find that many clients are nervous about this. The good news is that your personal injury attorney will be there to help. Keep reading to learn about five tips that can help you succeed and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
- Understand What a Deposition Is
- Be Sure You Understand the Question
- If You Don’t Know the Answer Say You Don’t Know
- Do Not Give More Information Than is Asked For
- Do Not Let Anything Get Under Your Skin
First and foremost, be sure that you understand what a deposition is before you begin. It is an oral statement that you will give under the oath. Think of it as an interview between you and the attorney of other involved parties. The purpose is for the other attorney to determine what you know and to have a written (and likely recorded) record of your side of the story. What you say in your deposition should be consistent with what you say in court.
If you do not understand a question then you should not answer it. Do not answer a question before the attorney has finished asking it. If you do not know what they mean, ask them. You should never try to guess at what they want because you run the risk of saying something that could be interpreted in a way you don’t want it to be.
Once again, you do not want to guess at anything in a deposition. If you are asked a question and you do not know the answer, it is perfectly fine to say, “I do not know,” or “I cannot remember.” If you are pushed on the matter, just be honest and remind the attorney that you do not want to say anything what would violate the oath you took.
Answer the question you are asked and only that question. Do not give extra information – even if you feel that it is helpful to the cause. If they do not ask you something then you should not tell them. It is not your responsibility to build a case – or defend one. Your purpose in a deposition is to give truthful statements.
Depending on the specifics of your case and the attorneys working against you, it is possible that there will come a point when you feel uncomfortable. They might say something that frustrates you, makes you mad, or otherwise upsets you. Do not let it show. Stay calm. Focus on answering the questions and let your attorney handle the rest.
If you are ready for a free legal consultation, we invite you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 at your convenience.
