Tips for Testifying in Your Personal Injury Case

by Dave Rumsey | July 25th, 2016

You did the right thing after your accident and called our Northern California car accident attorneys. Now you can focus on your recovery while we focus on getting you paid for your injuries. Although we’re working hard on your behalf to maximize your claim, there is one step in the process we can’t do for you: the deposition. A deposition is an under-oath interview with the opposing attorney. He/she will ask you a number of questions about your accident and your injuries to determine the best defense against you. That’s why it’s vitally important that you do well at your deposition, as the rest of your case may be impacted by your answers. Here are our 3 top tips for giving a good deposition:
  1. Think before you answer. The opposing attorney may ask questions that are intended to trip you up. Don’t fall for it. Take a moment after every question is asked to process before you answer. There’s no benefit to answering quickly, so take your time.
  2. Tell the truth. This is your first opportunity under oath to tell your side of the story. Stick to the truth and don’t embellish any details. In our experience, embellishments or lies always come out at trial. Don’t risk losing your case over false testimony. Stick to the facts.
  3. Revise your answers if necessary. Although we would prefer that you answer every question with 100% accuracy, we understand that sometimes nerves can interfere with our memories. If you happen to misspeak in the answer of a question, don’t be afraid to correct yourself. It’s much better to set the record straight in a deposition than to be forced to on the witness stand.
Here’s a bonus tip: Be well rested. No amount of preparation can counteract a poor night’s sleep before a deposition. Eat a good meal the evening before and get plenty of rest so you’re alert and ready when you sit down at the table. And don’t worry. Your attorney at Berg Injury Lawyers will be sitting right next to you the whole time.