If you are pursuing a personal injury claim, you will almost certainly be required to give a deposition at some time. Many of our clients are concerned about this. The good news is that your personal injury lawyer will be available to assist you. Continue reading to learn about five success ideas, and then call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker for a free legal consultation at 800-333-0000.
Recognize what a deposition is
First and foremost, make sure you know what a deposition is before you start. It’s an oral declaration that you’ll make under oath. Consider it an interview between you and the attorneys for the other parties involved. The goal is for the opposing lawyer to figure out what you know and have a written (and most likely recorded) record of your side of the tale. What you say in your deposition and what you say in court should be consistent.
Make certain you comprehend the question
You should not answer a question if you do not comprehend it. Do not respond to a question before the attorney has completed it. If you’re not sure what they imply, just ask. You should never try to anticipate what they want since you risk saying something that could be misinterpreted in a way that you don’t desire.
If you don’t know the answer, just say so
In a deposition, you do not want to make any educated guesses. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s completely OK to say “I don’t know” or “I can’t recall.” If pressed on the subject, simply be truthful and tell the attorney that you do not want to say anything that would jeopardize your oath.
Give no more information than is requested
Answer only the question that has been posed to you. Even if you believe it will aid the cause, do not provide additional details. You should not tell them anything unless they ask you. Building or defending a case is not your responsibility. In a deposition, your goal is to make accurate statements.
Allow nothing to get under your skin
It’s possible that, depending on the details of your case and the attorneys representing the opposing party, you’ll become chevalier. They may say something that irritates you, makes you angry, or causes you to be disturbed. Allow nothing to display. Keep your cool. Concentrate on answering the questions and leave the rest to your lawyer.
If you’re ready for a free legal consultation, call The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000.
