Preparing for Depositions in Car Accident Cases

Individuals who have never pursued a car accident lawsuit in court will most likely feel lost and confused when they see that their deposition is scheduled. While you may be anxious, nervous, and stressed about the approaching deposition, you can rest assured knowing that your car accident lawyer will help you prepare and ensure that you are completely ready before the scheduled deposition arrives.

Instead of stressing and feeling intimidated about the deposition, you should think of it as simply another piece of evidence intended to support your claim and prove your side of the story after a car accident.

What happens during a deposition?

When you attend your deposition for your car accident case, you will be giving oral testimony about what happened during the accident. The deposition will take place before your scheduled trial date, and you will be expected to tell the truth as you are under oath.

Once you are in the room for your deposition, the defendant’s lawyer will ask you a variety of questions that are related to your case. This gives them a general idea of what you might say about the accident or injuries during the  trial date. They can ask you a variety of questions, but it must either be about the specific car accident case that you are going to court for involving the facts of the accident or the injuries you sustained, or basic questions about your personal background.

The types of questions that may be asked in a Maryland car accident deposition

There are many different questions that you may be asked in a Maryland car accident deposition. Therefore, you should be ready and prepared to answer and discuss anything relevant to the accident. Here are some examples of the types of questions that may be asked:

• What is your full name?
• What is your address, telephone number, and birthday?
• Where are you employed?
• What type of education do you have?
• Have you ever filed a claim or lawsuit before?
• Where and when did your car accident occur?
• Where were you going when your car accident happened?
• What was the weather and traffic like when your accident happened?
• What speed were you driving when the accident occurred?
• What areas of the vehicles were the points of impact?
• When did you first notice the other vehicle?
• Did anyone run a stop sign or light?
• Did you talk to any witnesses who may have seen your accident occur? If so, what information did they give?
• How did your body react to the accident inside the vehicle? Did your body hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or any other object?
• What type of damage did your vehicle experience?
• Has your car been fixed yet? If so, how much were your auto mechanic fees?
• Did you take any photos or videos of the accident?
• Did you drink or take any drugs before the accident?
• Do you have previous or other injuries that are unrelated to the accident?
• Did you go to the hospital? If so, what type of medical treatment are you receiving for your injuries?
• Are you in any pain from the accident? If so, how much pain and where at?

Six facts that you should know about the deposition process

With the help and guidance of a car accident attorney, the deposition process will be as smooth and stress-free as possible for you. However, you should know and be aware of these six important facts regarding the process beforehand:

1. Depositions can last a couple of hours: Some people who have a deposition scheduled think that they will be in and out quickly. However, depositions can take a couple of hours, and you cannot leave in the middle of one. Therefore, it is suggested that you set aside enough time in your schedule so that you do not have to rush through your answers or feel pushed for time.
2. Your attorney will remain by your side: In case you are worried about going to the deposition alone, the good news is that your attorney will be right there with you. They will never leave your side until the deposition is completely over.
3. Every word you say will be documented: It is important to know and understand that a court reporter will be in the room at the time of your deposition writing down every single word that you say. This information is stored permanently and can be used at the trial of your case.
4. Your appearance is being evaluated: Even though a deposition is not a court hearing, you should still dress and present yourself professionally. The reason for this is because the defendant’s lawyer is evaluating your appearance and trying to make a judgment about your character.
5. You should never make a guess if you are unsure about something: While you may think that a guess is better than no answer, it is actually recommended to be honest and say that you do not remember something. If you make a guess and change your mind, this could look like you are lying or do not know what you are talking about.
6. The other attorney may try to confuse you with their questions: The defendant’s attorney will likely try to push your buttons and make you angry, but you should not let them. This will only make you look uptight and defensive. Instead, you should try to look as unbothered as possible by their comments.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident and have a deposition coming up, it may be wise to talk with a car accident lawyer from Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. about the deposition process. Call us today or submit our contact form to set up a free appointment at one of our multiple offices around Maryland today. We will gladly sit down with you to begin discussing and providing advice about your upcoming deposition!