2 Ways To Prepare For The Discovery Stage For An Auto Accident Case
When it comes to dealing with a legal dispute, this can be emotionally draining. The severity of your car accident will dictate how important the case may be to you. It is important to be prepared for a great deal of scrutinies when filing a lawsuit against another individual. The time to prove you are right is during the discovery stage of civil litigation. Knowing effective ways to help you get ready for this phase of the lawsuit is important to your potential success.
What is Discovery?
There are four parts to the discovery stage and each of these serves a different purpose to the court when dealing with an accident lawsuit.
Listed below are the various parts:
1. Written interrogatories – This stage requires you to answer written questions that are served to you regarding the details of the accident.
2. Deposition – A face-to-face meeting with the other party's attorney that will require you to respond truthfully to any question you are asked. It is legally required for you to be sworn in under oath.
3. Request for Admissions – You must either admit or deny certain parts of the case when asked.
4. Request for production documents – The opportunity to prove your injury or losses by providing written documentation to do so.
Write it Down
Immediately after the accident, take the time to write down exactly what happened. This will help you refresh your memory when you are required to respond to the written interrogatories or go to a deposition.
Listed below are things for you to keep notes on:
1. The date of the accident and the approximate time it happened.
2. The weather conditions the day the wreck occurred.
3. If the other driver was ticketed for being at fault for the wreck.
4. Where other people present that witnessed the auto accident?
5. If you were taking any medications that may have impacted your judgment that day.
Gather Documents
You should have all of your important materials on hand during the discovery stage. This includes copies of medical bills, a statement of your lost income and an estimation of what it will cost to fix your car.
Be sure to have these prepared to submit during the request for production document stage.
Finally, you can significantly strengthen your case during the discovery stage with the right amount of preparation. Be sure to consult with your personal injury attorney for additional details on how to do so. To learn more, contact a company like Oot & Associates Law Offices with any questions or concerns you have.