You may feel some anxiety if called to appear at a deposition. The bad news is, if you and your Decatur personal injury attorneys have begun a claim, you don’t have a choice in the matter—you must appear. The good news is, though, that this can be an excellent opportunity to become used to testifying should you need to do so in court later.
What Is a Deposition?
Depositions are a part of the discovery process. If you are called to appear, you will be deposed by the defendant’s attorneys. It is unlikely that a courtroom will be used for this process, however. Rather, you will likely appear either in the office of your Decatur personal injury attorneys or the defendant’s.
You will be asked questions about your injuries, the accident, and certain background and family information. A court reporter will record the testimony, and the deposition will become a part of the court record if your case ends up in litigation.
Why Is My Deposition Important?
The deposition gives defense attorneys an opportunity not only to learn more about your case, but to see you in action. If you are poised and confident, able to evoke sympathy, defense attorneys may be inclined to negotiate a settlement rather than risk a court case.
If, on the other hand, you are unable to answer key questions satisfactorily or seem to be exaggerating your injuries, this will work against you later on. Moreover, given that your deposition becomes part of the court record, if your testimony in court later differs substantially from your deposition, defense attorney can, and will, use this to impeach you.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may wish to pursue a claim. Call the Decatur personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of John Cannon today for a complimentary consultation. The number is 800-373-6050.