If you or someone you care about has been in a truck accident and suffered injuries, an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and help you navigate the complex legal process. They will also make sure that you are well-prepared for your deposition and that your personal injury case yields the best possible outcome.
How Depositions in Truck Accident Cases in Houston Work
In truck accident cases, depositions take place during the discovery stage of the litigation. They do not occur in a courtroom since deposition is not a formalized legal proceeding. In other words, no jury or judge is present during these sessions.
During a deposition, only the following individuals might be present in the room:
- Your Houston truck accident lawyer (they can ask you follow-up questions on cross-examination)
- The opposing counsel (other party’s attorney; they will ask the questions during your deposition)
- The court reporter (they will record everything including what each party/attorney said during the deposition)
It is notable that you will be sworn in by the court reporter when the deposition begins – even though it is not a formal court proceeding. This means your testimony during the deposition will be under oath and will have the same effect as if you were testifying live in front of a judge and a jury.
How to Answer Questions of the Defense Side
During a deposition, the defense attorney asks the accident victim a series of questions, which the victim has to answer. As we advise our clients, you must answer the questions as simple as possible, in as few words as you can. Keep in mind that your goal is not to volunteer information on your own.
In other words, it is not the time to tell your story. If your case goes to trial, then your Houston truck accident lawyer may advise you to tell your side of the story in court.
If you cannot recall the situation or event about which the defense attorney is asking, you are allowed to say that you do not remember/know the answer to that. Also, do not make any conjectures or guesses during a deposition.
In case of a truck accident, the deposition of the truck driver will help establish liability and the cause of the accident. This is why working with a successful Houston truck accident lawyer is so important; they must know exactly how to handle the truck driver’s deposition.
For example, they should know that they need to find out things such as:
- What does the truck driver’s driving record look like?
- Do they receive periodic assessments and training?
- How much experience do they have driving that kind of truck?
- What kind of load were they hauling? Was it overweight?
- How much sleep did they get the night before? How much sleep do they usually get every night?
Contact a Knowledgeable Houston Truck Accident Lawyer For A Free Case Review
If you have been in a truck accident that has left you devastated, physically and emotionally, you deserve compensation to help you get back on your feet. At Kirk Law Firm, PLLC, our hardworking legal team, headed by Attorney Dana G. Kirk, can handle all the legal work for you and help you understand what to expect in your deposition.
Drop us a message online to set up a free evaluation of your truck injury case.
