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4 Things To Know When Giving A Deposition In A Personal Injury Case

5 October 2015 by Lawrence Miller

If you have been involved in a personal injury case, at some point you may be asked to provide a deposition. This is basically a recorded statement about what happened. The attorney representing the opposite party will be asking you a series of questions. This can feel very pressuring, so it's important to prepare for this. Here are four things you should know before you give your deposition:

1. Know What the Question Is: If you aren't sure you heard a question correctly or if you aren't fully understanding the question, then be sure that you ask to have it repeated or at least restated in a way that you can understand. You don't want to answer a question that you aren't sure about since this can lead to misunderstood statements on your part that can later be used against you in court. 
2. Say "I Don't Remember": If there is a question that you cannot provide specific details about because you don't remember or you really don't know the answer, then don't be afraid to say so. This is important because you want to provide a truthful statement that cannot be used against you. If the attorney insists on an answer, it's important to state that you will not go against the oath made, which was to be truthful about everything you say. 
3. Don't Go Off on a Tangent: It's important that you answer the questions directly and don't go off on a tangent providing other details that aren't relevant to the question. This can also be held against you and you may be providing information that is not necessary. Instead, answer questions directly and your attorney will help you determine what information needs to be revealed later in court that the opposing attorney may have forgotten to ask. 
4. Read the Transcript: After providing your deposition, you are going to be asked to sign the transcript that was written out by the court reporter. You want to be sure that everything you stated is typed out correctly and truthfully. You want to be sure that your statements are exactly how you said them to ensure that, again, nothing is held against you in the future. 

By knowing these four things about giving a deposition, you can be calmer about it and know that you did it successfully. Be sure that you also discuss your deposition with your personal injury attorney before you give it since they can provide further advice about your specific case. 

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