What happens during a deposition?

Question

I am scheduled to testify at a deposition for a personal injury/auto accident. I am the injured person. I am just curious to know what happens at a deposition. Has anyone ever testified at one? How long does it take? I did a little research and I have read that they can sometimes be really drawn out and unpleasant.

Answer 1

Yes, they can be, but those are in cases where the facts are hotly disputed and the lawyers are over-zealous. For an auto accident, they're usually pretty mild, but depending on the amount of evidence, it could take a while -- plan for at least one day, and maybe two.
It's like testifying in court, only it's in a conference room usually, and everyone is sitting around a table, and it's much more informal. Just keep in mind that there will be a court reporter and you have to tell the truth and the whole truth, just like you would in a trial.
The idea of a deposition is to get all of the facts before trial or in a case that will likely settle before trial -- but there's nothing to worry about. Your attorney will also meet with you beforehand to tell you about the kinds of issues with the case that might come up.
Just relax and be truthful, and remember that you can always ask questions yourself, or ask for a break or for clarification of a question.

Answer 2

it is your attorney's job to prepare you for the deposition. The defendant's attorney will ask you questions about your prior medical history, how the accident happened, your medical treatment since then, and the damages you are claiming. You will be under oath and have to answer all questions truthfully. A court reporter will take down everything everyone says. This will be made into a transcript which will be admissible in court. Your attorney may object to certain questions from the other attorney, usually to the form of the question (vague or mis-states facts) or privilege (asking about communications between you and your attorney). Speak clearly and loud enough for all to hear. When a question is asked, wait a few moments before answering and make sure you understand the question. If not, ask them to repeat or rephrase the question. You may take a break at any time. It should not last more than a couple of hours unless you have an extensive medical history or a number of previous accidents and injuries. Dress appropriately (business casual) as the deposition may be video-taped. Do not make jokes or be sarcastic. The humor will not come through in the transcript. No need to be nervous about it. Good luck.

Answer 3

it is your criminal expert's activity to coach you for the deposition. The defendant's criminal expert will ask you questions on your earlier scientific historic previous, how the accident took place, your scientific therapy considering then, and the damages you're claiming. you would be below oath and could answer all questions definitely. A court docket reporter will take down each little thing all human beings says. this could be made right into a transcript which would be admissible in court docket. Your criminal expert might merchandise to specific questions from the different criminal expert, in many cases to this style of the question (obscure or mis-states data) or privilege (asking approximately communications between you and your criminal expert). talk of course and loud adequate for all to take heed to. whilst a question is asked, wait some moments before answering and confirm you recognize the question. If no longer, ask them to repeat or rephrase the question. you're able to take a destroy at any time. it extremely is going to no longer final better than a pair of hours except you have an huge scientific historic previous or particularly some previous injuries and injuries. gown wisely (company casual) because of the fact the deposition may be video-taped. do no longer make jokes or be sarcastic. The humor won't come by using interior the transcript. no could be worried approximately it. stable luck.

Answer 4

It depends on the lawyers for both sides. And what the evidence is of who is at fault and whether the other person thinks it's your fault or whatever. It is in a few words, a question and answer session. They ask you questions and you answer them with the truth. Lots of things can make it go on a long time. Especially if the other person is disputing fault and/or responsibility.

Answer 5

You sit in a room with lawyers from both sides. A court reporter is present. One lawyer asks you questions. The other lawyer objects to the question.
The defense wants to find out who you are, what are your injuries, what are your expenses. They want to try to find out if your claim is legitimate or not.