If you’re a fan of courtroom dramas, then you might think that a good lawyer is quick on his or her feet and is able to create “gotcha” moments in every case. While a lot of attorneys can think quickly and respond appropriately to unexpected situations, a lot of attorneys’ successes are based on preparation. So, if you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another, then you need to think about how best to prepare any personal injury claim you pursue.
Perhaps the best way to do this is to engage in thorough discovery. Discovery is the process whereby you learn information from your opponent and others who are related to the case in some way. One of the strongest discovery tools is the deposition. A deposition is the process where sworn testimony is given outside of court and prior to trial. Therefore a judge and jury don’t hear the testimony.
So what’s the point of a deposition? There are a few. First, it simply helps you gather information so that you aren’t surprised at trial. You can use this information to craft your strategy and defend the weaknesses of your case. Second, depositions lock witnesses into their testimony. That way, if a witness changes his or her story at trial you can contradict him or her with the prior inconsistent statement. This can damage the credibility of witnesses who are harmful to your case, or clarify testimony that supports your claim.
Depositions also require an ample amount of preparation, and they can be complicated in their own right. Yet, if you want your side of the story to be competently presented and thereby increase your chances of recovering compensation, then you might want to consider whether the assistance of an attorney would be beneficial. These professionals know how to assess car accident cases in light of the law and develop the legal arguments needed to better position one for success.
At Colton Holm Law Firm, we look forward to learning how we can help you resolve your legal concern.Call us today: (406) 259-9986