A deposition is a method that is used to obtain information that is relevant to a car accident case. Normally, in a deposition an attorney is allowed to ask questions to another person who has information that is pertinent to something that has to do with a car accident.
An investigating police officer, witness to the accident, doctor who provided medical treatment to the parties, or parties of the cars involved in the accident may be required to give a deposition. As well, the passengers who were riding in cars involved in an accident may be asked to give answers in a deposition.
Depositions are normally conducted in a location reasonable close to where the interviewed party resides. If the witness lives in Chicago, for example, then then he or she cannot be compelled to travel to Los Angeles for a deposition, even if that's where the car accident took place. Most often, depositions take place in an attorney's office, but they can take place anywhere. A lawyer can conduct a deposition in a client's living room, in a doctor's office, or in any other convenient location.
Deposition testimonies are given under oath. This means that it is very important that depositions are honest and truthful. Normally, a court reported will use a recoding machine to get every word said in a deposition on record. If any of the testimonies are found to be untrue, then the individual who lied may be found guilty of perjury and penalized.
In a deposition, the attorney will attend as well as the witness and a witness's attorney if necessary. As well, any other attorneys representing parties in the lawsuit and any court reporters will typically come to the deposition. The attorney who requested the deposition has the right to do the question-asking. The lawyer will probably ask the witness to describe the nature of injuries from the accident, or to describe how the car accident occurred.
When the witness is a medical professional, the attorney will probably ask questions about the conditions of the parties involved in the accident. Normally, depositions last a few hours. Each state has their own rules which govern depositions specifically and the length of time that parties are allowed to take in asking questions.
Deposition is a part of the step in a case known as "discovery." This is when the initial filings are taken care of, and both sides of the case are allowed to exchange information and documentation about their respective claims and defense. Another discovery tool is interrogatories which are questions that are sent from one party to another, but are not discussed in a face-to-face situation like a deposition.
If you want more information about depositions, a local car accident attorney can aid you. If you have been injured in a car accident and have filed suit against the party-at-fault, you will need to talk with your attorney about potentially scheduling a deposition with any witnesses, doctors, and even the other driver. This is especially true if the driver is contesting your suit. Call a local car accident lawyer today to learn more about depositions and organize a set of questions that can help you to determine why you deserve compensation for your injuries.