Preparing for a Personal Injury Deposition

A deposition is sworn testimony taken before trial. It is an important part of discovery because it allows the parties to explore the accident, the injury, treatment, work history, and other facts relevant to the claim.

Preparation is about accuracy, not performance

The goal is not to memorize a script. It is to understand the process, review the important facts and records, and be prepared to answer truthfully and carefully. A witness should listen to the full question, answer what was asked, and avoid guessing when the answer is not known.

The record will matter

Questions may cover prior injuries, medical treatment, employment, social media, activities after the accident, and conversations about the event. Reviewing relevant records beforehand helps a witness distinguish a genuine memory from an assumption based on what seems likely.

Honest limits are important

It is acceptable not to remember a detail. It is better to say so than to fill a gap with an estimate presented as fact. Depositions are not casual conversations; the testimony becomes part of the record. Calm, accurate answers are more useful than overconfident ones.