You’ve filed a personal injury claim. Now there’s a good chance you’ll need to sit through a deposition before anything gets settled or goes to trial. It sounds intimidating, but once you understand what actually happens, it becomes a lot less scary. A deposition is sworn testimony you give outside of court. The other side’s attorney asks you questions while a court reporter records every word you say. Think of it as a fact-finding mission where the defense digs into your injuries, the accident, and basically anything else they think relates to your claim.
Why Depositions Matter In Injury Cases
That defense attorney isn’t making small talk. They’re building their case against you, hunting for inconsistencies, and figuring out how you’ll hold up if this thing goes to trial. Everything you say is under oath and can be used later, so your answers really do matter. Most depositions happen in law office conference rooms, not courtrooms. You’ll sit there with your attorney, the defense lawyer, and a court reporter taking everything down. Sometimes insurance adjusters show up, too. The setting feels way more casual than court, but don’t let that relax you too much. The stakes are just as high.
What Questions You’ll Face
Defense attorneys pretty much follow the same playbook during these sessions. They’ll dig into your background, your education, and your work history. They’ll want every detail about how the accident happened. Then comes the medical stuff.
You can expect questions about:
- Your injuries and every treatment you’ve received
- How those injuries affect what you do every day
- Your complete medical history, not just recent stuff
- Any previous accidents or injury claims you’ve filed
- What were you doing right before the accident occurred
- Who did you talk to about the case
The questions start broadly, then they get specific. You might spend an hour just talking about the accident itself, then another hour going through your medical treatment line by line. Had prior injuries? Expect them to spend considerable time on those, too.
How To Prepare Effectively
Your attorney will meet with you beforehand to walk through what’s coming. This isn’t about memorizing scripted answers or rehearsing some performance. It’s about understanding the process and knowing how to answer truthfully without handing them ammunition they don’t need. Review your medical records before you go in. You won’t remember every single doctor’s visit or treatment detail, but you should have a general timeline in your head. The defense will have your records right there in front of them, and they’ll ask about specific appointments or diagnoses. Read through any statements you gave to police or insurance companies after the accident. Refresh your memory about what you said back then. Contradictions between your deposition and earlier statements create problems you don’t want.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Claims
Talking too much is the biggest mistake people make. Answer the question they asked, then stop talking. Don’t explain. Don’t elaborate. Don’t fill awkward silences with extra information. If the defense attorney wanted more details, they’d ask another question. They know how to do that. Guessing creates another set of problems. Can’t remember something? Say you don’t recall. That’s a perfectly acceptable answer. Making up details or estimating when you’re not actually sure creates serious issues later when your testimony doesn’t match up with the evidence.
Never argue with the attorney or get defensive, even when they ask frustrating questions or act skeptical about your injuries. Stay calm, stick to what you know happened, and let A Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer deal with the opposing attorney.
What Happens After Your Deposition
The court reporter prepares a written transcript once everything wraps up. You’ll usually get a chance to review it and fix any errors, though you can’t just change your answers because you wish you’d said something different.
The defense uses what you said to evaluate your entire case. Strong, consistent testimony? That often leads to better settlement offers. But contradictions or credibility issues give insurance companies exactly what they need to lowball you or dig in for a fight.
Settlement negotiations often speed up after depositions are done. Both sides have a clearer picture of the case’s strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes that pushes everyone toward resolution. Working with a Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer makes a real difference in how your deposition goes. An experienced attorney prepares you properly, objects to improper questions, and helps you sidestep traps that could wreck your claim.
Getting The Right Legal Support
At Burton Law Firm, we’ve guided countless clients through depositions in personal injury cases. We know what defense attorneys look for. We know the tricks they use. And we know how to prepare you to handle their questions with confidence while protecting what matters most, your claim’s value. Don’t walk into your deposition unprepared. That’s asking for trouble. Contact our team, and we’ll stand beside you and make sure your rights stay protected throughout this whole process.