Cars have made life so much easier for humans everywhere. A few decades ago, traveling long distances in a matter of hours was not even possible; nowadays, it is done every day. However, traveling every day can also put you in difficult situations.
Thousands of people are involved in minor or major car accidents every day. If you are fortunate, you may never face one. However, if you get involved in a car accident and have to attend a personal injury deposition, you need to be very careful with what you say under oath.
Here are a few helpful tips that can help you protect yourself from any unfortunate circumstances.
- Hire a Professional
An accident can be a traumatic experience. Most people are not ready to face the challenges of deposition right away. In such a difficult time, it is common for people to make regrettable mistakes and overshare. If you give a recorded statement, your words may be used against you.
Therefore, hiring a professional automobile accident lawyer is the first step toward your benefit. Professional lawyers can help you avoid such mistakes and make the right and timely decisions to protect your rights.
- Anticipate the Questions
The first thing most people in such a situation panic about is going to the courtroom. If you have the same fears, you are lucky because a deposition does not occur in a courtroom. Instead, it will be a series of questions asked in an attorney’s office in less than 30 minutes.
Your attorney can help you prepare for the questions that may be asked at the deposition. They may guide you to revisit the accident scene and remember the details to refresh your memory. This practice will help you give truthful answers that can benefit your case.
- Avoid Oversharing
As mentioned earlier, your words can be used against you. Therefore, your attorney will guide you to answer the opposition’s questions precisely. You must listen to the questions carefully and understand them. Take your time to answer, and do not be afraid to say that you do not remember.
The opposing counsel will try to ask broad questions to find loopholes in your statement to use them against you. It is suggested that you do not provide any information you are unsure of. If you don’t know the answer, express so, and feel free to ask them to move to the next question without oversharing.
- Stay Calm
Depositions can be frustrating, especially for those who easily lose their temper. Your opposing council may ask you broad or repetitive questions to make you uncomfortable. In such cases, you must remember to stay calm and trust your council.
Trust your attorney to object to a question that is irrelevant or misleading. Remember, no one can rush you to answer a question, so you can take the time you need. However, while answering the questions, try to keep nervous jokes and sarcasm out of the deposition.
