Deposition Preparation: How-to Guidance

Personal_Injury_Attorney_Travis_MayorDeposition preparation in an Oregon personal injury case can be one of the most important efforts you can do to win your case. Because almost 95% of the Oregon personal injury cases settle before depositions are taken, most parties involved in the case are never deposed and hence do not invest the effort needed to complete deposition preparation. However, for those personal injury cases where the injuries are substantial, and the associated settlement demands are large, insurance companies will often pursue more aggressive legal tactics and delay settlement until discovery and depositions are complete. In theses cases, you must understand the importance of deposition preparation and invest in the effort to do so.

Preparing For Your Depositions

Deposition preparation consists of developing a basic understanding of the deposition process and techniques for responding effectively to the opposing attorney. To assist my clients with this effort I have developed “Deposition Preparation: How to Guidance” in a white paper that addresses the following topics:

  • What is a deposition?
  • Why are depositions taken? What is the purpose and outcomes?
  • How to deal with the opposing attorney?
  • Guidance on how to: prepare, your demeanor, conduct during the process, answer questions, and dealing with aggressive behaviors designed to frustrate and throw you curves.

Tips for How to Respond in the Deposition Process

The white paper, “How to Prepare for your Deposition in a Personal Injury Case,” provides tips on 16 key topics that will make the deposition less stressful and more effective in supporting your case. Some tips address the following topics:

  • Be Prepared — you should review the facts of your case with your attorney so that your memory is refreshed and you can answer correctly.
  • Think Before Answering – listen to the entire question and think about it before answering.
  • Never Volunteer Information – do not volunteer information or give testimony about something that was not asked.
  • Tell the Truth – this is your obligation even if you think the truth will hurt your case.
  • Don’t Get Rattled or Upset – remember, you want to make a good impression on the defense attorney who will be reporting back to a client representative or insurance company who makes decisions about settlement and going to trial.
  • Do Not Bring Documents to the Deposition – do not bring notes, a diary or other documents with you to your deposition that you may want to refer to or review.
  • Handling Objections – your lawyer may object to certain questions asked by the defense attorney.
  • Correcting Mistakes – you have a right to read the transcript of your deposition and correct any mistakes. However, the best time to correct mistakes in your testimony is at the deposition before a transcript has been prepared.

If you have been injured in a car accident, motorcycle or bicycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, and received major or minor injures, you need to contact a Portland personal injury attorney. You may have a better case than you realize! Even if you have a smaller case, you should speak with a lawyer to help you determine if you need an attorney. Because I work on contingency fee basis (meaning: I don’t get paid unless you do), and I do not take cases unless I think we can win. My initial consultations are always free, so call me at (503) 444-2825, or email at travis@mayorlaw.com.

Travis Mayor, Oregon Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Attorney Travis MayorI represent personal injury and accident victims in the Portland Metropolitan Area, Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties, and throughout the state of Oregon. I provide this Blog as an educational and informational service for Oregon residents – it is not intended to be legal advice, as every case is unique and should be accurately evaluated. If you or a family member have been in an accident and would like a FREE professional consultation with an attorney, call me at (503) 444-2825, or email at travis@mayorlaw.com to learn more about your legal rights.

Learn more at: www.mayorlaw.com