- October 3, 2024
- Attorney Matt Stoddard
- Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident deposition does not have to be a frightening experience. Learning more about the deposition process can ease your mind as you recover from your injuries.
Your motorcycle accident was traumatic enough. A deposition is designed to help civil cases by getting to the core facts and evidence. The deposition process is easier with a highly skilled motorcycle accident lawyer by your side. A Georgia motorcycle accident lawyer will use their experience to help you feel confident and supported.
What is a Deposition?
A deposition is part of the discovery process.
A deposition is a step in the civil process that obtains testimony from witnesses under oath before trial. Depositions are a part of discovery, where parties gather facts and information about a case.
The location is typically the law office of one of the attorneys. Parties present generally include:
- Victim and responsible party
- Attorneys for each
- Accident witnesses
- A court reporter.
Depositions sometimes include witnesses, paralegals, or others related to the case in some capacity. A deposition can last a few or several hours, with the time required dependent upon the complexity of your case.
Why Depositions Matter
Depositions conducted now can prevent surprises later.
The facts regarding your motorcycle accident are vital information for both sides in a civil lawsuit. Getting the details out on the table before a trial helps both sides better prepare their trial strategies. Attorneys can learn the witnesses’ versions of the accident and determine whether a witness will be deemed credible based on their deposition testimony.
Depositions also matter for preserving testimony or evidence. If a witness dies or evidence is lost, the information preserved during the deposition is invaluable for trial.
A deposition can lead to other discoveries for the case or to a settlement, avoiding a lengthy and costly trial. It can also narrow contested issues in cases headed for trial, streamlining the lawsuit. While a deposition demands your time now, it can save both sides time later by avoiding unreliable witnesses and other trial issues.
Key Steps to Prepare for Your Deposition
Preparation teaches you what to expect.
A deposition for a motorcycle accident lawsuit requires careful preparation. If an accident victim arrives unprepared, they can feel overwhelmed and confused, potentially harming their case.
Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys generally take the following steps in preparing clients for a deposition:
- Review court rules for the deposition process
- Introduce clients to questions the opposing side may ask them
- Show clients documents and pictures and pose possible questions clients may face about them.
The details of your motorcycle accident can influence the questions you face during a deposition. A lawsuit involving multiple parties, attorneys, and vast amounts of evidence could require lengthy depositions. However, motorcycle accident victims do not have to face a deposition alone. Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney protects your best interests throughout your case, including your deposition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake can significantly affect your case.
A deposition is a serious matter that requires your complete focus. There are legal consequences for those who fail to follow the rules of procedure.
The following are common mistakes that could harm your motorcycle accident case deposition:
- Forgetting that you are under oath and not telling the truth
- Failing to speak slowly and clearly for the court reporter
- Volunteering information that goes beyond the scope of the question
- Not reviewing the transcript of your testimony before signing it.
Nerves can play a significant role for many accident victims, especially when asked to relive the trauma of that unforgettable experience. Preparing for your deposition with your attorney can help you rest easier, as you will know what to expect and how to avoid mistakes that can affect your civil case.
Tips from a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
How to protect your best interests.
One top tip from a motorcycle accident attorney is to hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible following your crash. Once you have legal representation, discuss your case with them and leave communication with the opposing side in the hands of your attorney.
Other tips include:
- Refrain from posting about your accident on social media. The opposing side may confront you during the deposition and attempt to use it against you at trial.
- Refuse to accept a settlement without an attorney present. An initial settlement offer is generally less than motorcycle accident victims deserve.
- Trust the process and your attorney. While a deposition may sound scary, it is usually conducted in an attorney’s office, not a courtroom.
A Georgia motorcycle accident attorney uses their experience to handle opposing attorneys and insurers. Following their guidance is perhaps the best tip for protecting your interests.
The Stoddard Firm: Georgia Motorcycle Attorneys
When a lot is riding on your claim or lawsuit
A Georgia motorcycle ride should not end in severe injuries — or the death of a loved one due to a negligent driver. Fighting for the compensation you deserve may require a deposition. If so, The Stoddard Firm can help.
Our firm has a proven track record of helping personal injury and wrongful death victims. We fight hard to secure the compensation our victims deserve and need. While compensation is never promised or guaranteed, we will not settle for less than what is fair. Your life-altering damages demand accountability. Sometimes, the path toward that accountability involves depositions.
If you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries in a Georgia motorcycle accident, contact us. Those who lost a close loved one are also encouraged to contact us regarding a potential wrongful death case.
The Stoddard Firm offers a free consultation. Call (470) 467-2200 today to learn more about how we can help you.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]