How to Prepare for Personal Injury Claim

If you are planning to file a personal injury lawsuit, bear in mind that the entire process of having your deposition taken can become extremely agonizing. To make the experience less painful for you, here are a few tips that can be considered.

It is advisable to dress appropriately for the deposition and follow the same dress code as that preferred for a trial. As the judge or the jury will usually try to size you up, you should look presentable to him/her. During the deposition, if you feel like taking a break, you can certainly ask for one without hesitation as it is allowed in most states of the United States. However, it is in your own favor to discuss the rules and regulation regarding the same with your attorney before the deposition to avoid any confusion at the last minute.

As the deposition is not a timed event, it is better to take your time to answer the questions and avoid answering without thinking. Be precise while answering and do not elaborate on your answers unnecessarily. Be as short and simple as you can. Volunteering any extra information can invite many cross questions, which can prove to be unfavorable for you. For instance, some of the best possible answers to most of the questions asked include "Yes," "No," "I don't know," "I don't remember" and "I don't understand your question." 

It is not advisable to be untruthful. Bear in mind that depositions are not meant to discover information, but to discredit you at the trial in some way or the other. If your answers do not match with the information already be available with the jury, you might end up leaving a bad impression. Also, it is highly advisable to avoid arguing with the person asking questions. Objections to the questions should be raised by your attorney, who shall be present with you in the room during the deposition. 

Besides the basic guidelines stated above, following are a few things that should be kept in mind:

Be extremely cautious when discussing any issue with the other lawyer or any insurance adjuster before, during, or after the deposition.

Make sure you are prepared with a list of all the injuries caused and the activities that you fail to perform after the accident. Do not look confused while reading out the list as you might look deceptive. Also, you should also be well prepared to describe and rate your injuries and loss on a scale of 1 o 10.

Be careful answering questions like “Are you feeling better now?” Instead of saying simply “yes” or “no”, it is better to say something like “Obviously, I’m feeling better than what I felt on the day of that horrifying accident!”

Last, but not the least, be polite and frank in answering. Do not make any wild guesses and be confident enough to admit lack of any specific knowledge.

To conclude, these tips and guidelines will not only help you prepare yourself for the personal injury deposition, but will also help you in getting a reasonable compensation amount.