Hurt in an accident in Kansas City? You have the right to hold an at-fault party legally liable through a personal injury claim. Compensation may be recovered for medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Most of these cases are resolved through a settlement. However, litigation is sometimes required. You may even need to go through a deposition. Here, our Kansas City personal injury lawyer provides an overview of depositions, including what they are, when they are required, and how to prepare yourself.
Know Your Legal Term: Deposition
As defined simply by the National Institute of Justice, a deposition is “the recorded sworn oral testimony of a party or witness before trial.” A deposition may be required as part of discovery. Broadly explained, discovery is the pre-trial phase in a lawsuit where both parties exchange relevant information and evidence. If a personal injury lawsuit is filed and the case moves toward a trial, the defense attorney, who most often has been hired by the at-fault driver’s insurance company, will likely request and be entitled to a deposition of the victim.
Will I Be Required to Sit for a Deposition in My Personal Injury Claim?
It depends. Many personal injury claims are settled without a lawsuit ever being filed. A formal deposition may not be required. In some cases, an informal statement to the insurance company—potentially even written responses from your lawyer—may be sufficient. However, if your case is set for trial, your deposition will be required as part of the discovery process.
Three Key Tips to Prepare Yourself for a Personal Injury Deposition
For injured victims, preparing for a deposition can be stressful, intimidating, and even overwhelming. Here is the good news: It does not have to be. While it is important and you need to be prepared, you have time to get your thoughts together. Further, you do not have to take on the defense alone. Here are three tips for preparing for a personal injury deposition in Kansas City:
- Stay Calm: Maintaining composure during your deposition is crucial. While it is easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with rapid-fire questions, staying calm helps you think clearly and respond appropriately.
- Focus On Facts: You should never engage in speculation during your personal injury deposition. Make accuracy your priority when answering questions. Stick to what you know and remember about the incident without speculating or guessing. You do not have to answer questions if you do not know the answer.
- Rely On Your Lawyer: Your Kansas City personal injury attorney is your advocate. Not only will a lawyer help you to prepare, but they are there to guide you through the process, including by objecting to inappropriate questions.
Set Up a Free Case Review With Our Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City personal injury attorney is focused on helping clients secure the maximum compensation. If you have any questions about depositions or the claims process in general, we are here to help. Contact us for your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation. From our law office in Kansas City, we represent injured victims in Kansas and Missouri.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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