Sitting for a deposition in your personal injury case can be nerve-wracking. Your personal injury attorney will thoroughly prepare you prior to the deposition so you know what to expect. But, he may fill your head with a list of do’s and don’ts that leave you feeling overwhelmed. Don’t worry—prepping for a deposition doesn’t have to be complicated. According to the American Bar Association, there are only four simple rules that you need to remember when preparing for a deposition in a personal injury case.
Rule #1: Listen to the question.
Make sure that you listen to the entire question before you start to think of an answer and respond. Don’t interrupt the person who is asking the question or assume that you know what he is asking before he finishes. Be patient so you can hear and process every word that he says.
Rule #2: Be sure you understand the question.
Anything that you say during a deposition can be used as evidence in your case. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you understand the question before you begin to answer it. If you are not 100% sure that you understand a question, ask for clarification. You should never feel embarrassed or ashamed that you don’t understand something.
Rule #3: Think carefully about the answer.
Don’t immediately begin to respond to the question. It’s recommended that you give yourself at least five seconds to think over your answer before you start to respond. This will give you time to think carefully about what you are saying and how it will be interpreted by the other party. Many people fail to pause before responding because they don’t want to seem dishonest, but this should not be a concern. No one will assume that you are trying to think of a lie if you take a few moments to gather your thoughts before responding.
Rule #4: Make it short and sweet.
It’s not a good idea to ramble on and on when answering a question. Respond in short, clear sentences so nothing that you say can be misconstrued. If you give a lengthy response, the other party may hear something of interest and begin asking you follow-up questions that he would have never asked if you hadn’t volunteered the information. Avoid these unnecessary complications by keeping it short and simple.
So you see, preparing for a personal injury deposition doesn’t have to be as challenging as it once seemed. But, it’s still in your best interest to work with an experienced attorney who will be by your side during the deposition to protect your rights.
If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, seek legal representation from Reisch Law Firm at once. Our personal injury attorneys will guide you through every step of the legal process. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
