What is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury involves suffering harm because of someone else’s actions or failure to act. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to hold the responsible individual or entity accountable for their negligent acts while also allowing you to pursue financial recovery for your injuries and losses. Personal injury lawsuits can arise from a variety of accidents and incidents. The most common include: All of the above have something in common: the injuries resulting from these incidents are the result of someone’s acts or omission. It is helpful to note that, while the most unfortunate cases result in the victim succumbing to their injuries and passing away, this does not eliminate all possibilities for legal action. In these situations, the victim’s family might file a wrongful death or survival action to hold the at-fault party responsible and pursue compensation for losses resulting from losing their loved one. If you’ve sustained injuries at the hands of another, do not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your situation and your legal options.The Typical Personal Injury Lawsuit Process
To better understand what happens after depositions, it’s helpful to get a bigger picture and comprehend the whole personal injury lawsuit process to give you a better idea of what you can expect.Initiating the Lawsuit
The first step you’ll take is consulting with a qualified personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your case. Your lawyer will ask questions and gather as much information as possible to create a legal strategy.
Depending on your situation, your attorney may begin by sending the opposing party’s insurance company a demand letter.
A demand letter provides details regarding:
- Your accident
- The insured’s liability
- The extent and severity of your injuries
- Your losses
- Respond to the letter agreeing to the settlement amount provided
- Respond to the letter denying the allegations and settlement amount
- Not respond at all
The Discovery Phase
The discovery process allows both sides to dig up evidence and information that can potentially help their arguments. Attorneys will collect information through interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admissions. Additionally, attorneys will conduct depositions. This phase is the most time-consuming, as it can take quite some time for both the plaintiff and defendant to get everything they need to build their case.Pre-Trial Settlement Negotiations
After the discovery process, your personal injury lawyer will engage in settlement negotiations with the opposing party and their insurance company representatives. Defendants are most likely to settle during this phase because they know much more about the case and have acquired all the necessary information. About 95 percent of personal injury cases in the United States settle before trial. While not common, if the opposing party refuses to settle, it’s because they feel they have a good chance of winning at trial or the plaintiff’s settlement figure is too high. Most personal injury attorneys can resolve cases and get their clients the settlements they deserve after the discovery process.Trial
If settling with the opposing party is impossible, your attorney will continue pursuing compensation in the courtroom. During the trial, the judge (and sometimes a jury) will hear both sides' arguments, evidence, and testimony. The judge or jury must then decide if you're eligible to receive any compensation. While going to trial can be risky, if your personal injury attorney decides it is the best course of action, you can fully trust their decision. Many people want to avoid a trial, as it can be even more time-consuming, stressful, and costly for both sides. However, some injury victims must go to court to obtain what they deserve.What is a Deposition?
A deposition may seem like a foreign concept for those unfamiliar with legal procedures. But depositions can play an integral role in a personal injury lawsuit.
A deposition is a declaration made out of court made under oath. During a deposition, the person deposed, referred to as the deponent, appears before the attorneys in the case and a court reporter to give sworn testimony.
A lawyer in the case will want to depose someone with specific knowledge of the claim or some important detail of the case. If the attorney wishes to depose someone, they'll need to serve the individual with a subpoena.
An individual formally receives a subpoena through a process server. The document contains details regarding the date, time, and place of the deposition and the case in question. Additionally, the subpoena will command the individual’s attendance—depositions are not optional.
What Happens During a Deposition?
During the deposition, the parties will meet at a specified location on a specific date and time. For example, the deposition may occur at the defense attorney’s office. The lawyer that requested the deposition will ask the deponent various questions. The types of questions depend on who the individual is and what information the attorney is seeking. Deponents can include:- The parties to the case
- Treating physicians
- Witnesses to the incident
- Expert witnesses
- Family and friends
How are Depositions Helpful?
Depending on the situation, depositions can be extremely helpful for your case. They serve many purposes, including:- Getting more information about the case
- Finding out what a party knows about the accident or incident
- Establishing the cause of the accident
- Determining who’s liable for your injuries
- Creating a solid record to be used later on in court
- Getting an idea of how a witness will testify in court
- Determining how credible a witness is
- Getting specialized information from an expert witness
What Happens After Depositions?
Your personal injury attorney may need to take multiple depositions of various witnesses before they’ve officially concluded the discovery phase of your case. After each deposition, your lawyer will likely want to review the questions and answers. The court reporter, who takes down everything said throughout the entire deposition, can provide a written transcript. Your attorney can request either a hard copy or an electronic copy to read. Your lawyer will take whatever helpful information they need from the transcript to help strengthen your case. These details can then help them when it comes time to engage in settlement negotiations or prepare for trial. Depositions are an essential part of the discovery phase—you can expect both sides to take advantage of this. Your attorney will create a strategy to take depositions and extract whatever pertinent facts they need to pursue fair compensation for your case.Can Lawyers Depose an Individual More than Once?
An individual can be deposed more than once. However, more than one deposition for a single individual is not typical. Usually, if new facts arise, an attorney may need to re-depose an individual. In some cases, a judge can also order a deposition. Generally, attorneys try to only depose individuals only once unless there is a valid reason to request a subsequent deposition.Does the Deponent Need an Attorney?
Whether the deponent needs an attorney depends on who the deponent is. If the deponent is another individual, like a witness to the accident or an expert witness, they do not need to hire an attorney for their deposition. They are not a party to the case and, therefore, do not need legal representation. If the deponent is a party to the case, their attorney needs to attend the deposition with them. So, for example, if you are undergoing a deposition by the defendant’s attorney, your personal injury attorney will be there with you. However, if you try to handle your claim unrepresented and you have a deposition with the opposing party, you will attend on your own without a lawyer. Personal injury lawyers are all-around beneficial to have for your case, but especially when it comes to depositions. Not only will they protect your rights and best interests during your deposition, but they'll also schedule their depositions to gather pertinent information for your case.Do I Need an Attorney to Handle My Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Many people wonder whether they need a lawyer, and they might even try to start their case without legal guidance. However, in most cases, a lawyer can help you achieve a much better result than you’d get handling your own case. This is especially the case if you need to file a lawsuit, which requires following strict and complicated Rules of Civil Procedure. A personal injury attorney knows the law and procedures for your case. They have the experience and resources needed to build a strong case and work toward getting you the financial recovery you need. When you hire a lawyer, you’re no longer responsible for the major tasks associated with your case. Your attorney will:- Thoroughly investigate your claim
- Draft and file necessary court documents
- Gather relevant evidence and documentation
- Uncover the cause of your injuries
- Determine liability
- Calculate your damages
- Participate in the discovery process
- Engage in settlement negotiations
- Represent you in court
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
David Abels
Partner
David Abels has carved a niche for himself in the personal injury law sector, dedicating a substantial part of his career since 1997 to representing victims of various accidents. With a law practice that spans over two decades, his expertise has been consistently recognized within the legal community.
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