ArticlesSo you’ve started the process of pursuing an Alabama personal injury claim, and now it’s time for your deposition.
But what exactly is a deposition? And how should you prepare?
Depositions are an extremely important part of a personal injury lawsuit in Alabama, as they are crucial to the information gathering process.
Because depositions are so important, parties often feel nervous or overwhelmed wondering what personal injury deposition questions they may be asked. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare.
If you have questions about how to prepare for deposition questions in a personal injury case, contact the Fob James Law Firm today.
Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys have extensive experience litigating personal injury cases from start to finish, part of which includes taking and preparing our clients for depositions.
Give us a call today at 205-407-6009 to discuss your case and see what we can do to help you prepare.
What Is a Deposition in Alabama?
A deposition occurs during the discovery process of a civil lawsuit.
The purpose of a deposition, and the discovery process in general, is to gain information about the case and find potential sources for evidence.
Depositions are done in an oral question-and-answer format. At a deposition, a lawyer will ask questions of the person being deposed, or the deponent.
The deponent must answer the questions under oath, as they would at trial. Further, a deposition usually takes place with a court reporter present who will create a written record of the deposition.
This deposition transcript can be extremely useful as you move forward in your case.
Depositions can be very stressful and time-consuming, sometimes lasting several days for a single deponent. However, this is a necessary part of building a strong case. Thus, it is important to feel as prepared as possible.
Sample Deposition Questions in Alabama Personal Injury Cases
A question that many first-time deponents have before their first deposition is, Will there be sample deposition questions for a plaintiff to help them prepare?
Unfortunately, there is no set of standard sample deposition questions for personal injury cases. However, there are certain questions that are almost certain to come up.
As a preliminary matter, you will likely be asked questions about your personal background. Topics might include:
- Name and contact information,
- Educational background,
- Health and medical background,
- Employment status and background,
- Criminal background, and
- Whether you have ever been involved in a lawsuit or participated in a deposition before.
These types of questions will help set the scene.
Next, you will dive into more substantive matters regarding the events leading to your personal injury accident. For example, sample deposition questions in a personal injury case involving a car or trucking accident might include:
- When did the accident occur?
- Where did the accident occur?
- How fast were you driving?
- Were there any conditions present that impaired your driving?
You can never guess precisely what questions will come up. However, if your personal injury case arose out of a car accident, you can be certain that questions about the accident will come up.
Thus, it is important to make sure you are prepared to answer questions about the accident that gave rise to your personal injury claim.
Contact an Alabama Personal Injury Attorney Near Me in Alabama
If you have never participated in a deposition before, the process might feel scary. Fortunately, our attorneys will do what we can to make sure you are as prepared as possible.
Sample deposition outline questions in personal injury cases can be a great way to help you prepare. Our team can help you get the practice you need to feel comfortable and at ease.
The personal injury attorneys at Fob James Law Firm are aggressive litigators with extensive experience navigating the personal injury claims process. When you work with us, you can feel confident knowing you will be in great hands.
Contact us today for a free case review, and see what we can do for you.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.