Depositions in Knoxville Car Accident Lawsuits: What are They and Why are They Important?
If you were seriously injured in a car accident in Knoxville, you may wonder about an important part of the discovery process called a “deposition.” Indeed, even before being injured in a car accident due to another person’s negligence or otherwise at-fault conduct, many Knoxville car accident victims have heard the word “deposition” on T.V. or in legal dramas. There is no question that depositions can be a very useful way to gather important information for a Knoxville car accident victim’s case. To give Knoxville car accident victims greater clarity about this important discovery mechanism, we explain the basics of depositions in Knoxville car accident cases and where to find legal help here.
Depositions in Knoxville Car Accident Cases: The Basics
Simply put, a deposition is a meeting where a person with knowledge about an issue or issues in a car accident case answers questions under oath before a case goes to trial. In Knoxville, depositions are allowed under Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 30.01, which establishes that “After commencement of the action, any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon oral examination.”
Depositions usually take place in an attorney’s office or a conference room, not a courtroom. The parties present at a deposition are typically the court reporter (the person who creates a written record of the testimony and the questions asked), the person being deposed (also called the “deponent”), their lawyer (if they are represented), and the plaintiff car accident victim’s lawyer, who asks the questions and elicits testimony from the witness deponent. Depositions are taken under oath, and deponents must be truthful on the record. Depositions are important in Knoxville car accident lawsuits because they help both sides learn more about what happened. People involved in the crash, as well as witnesses, can be asked about how the accident occurred, what they saw, and what injuries were suffered. This helps create a clearer picture of the facts. It also gives everyone a chance to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the case. In sum, a deposition can be used both as a “sword” and as a “shield” in a Knoxville car accident victim’s case for compensation. Importantly, there are strict rules about how a deponent must be given notice, and evidentiary rules also apply. Accordingly, it is critical to have an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer on your side if you are being deposed, or if you wish to depose a witness to gather critical evidence for your case.
Getting Legal Help in Knoxville: Work with an Experienced Knoxville Car Accident Lawyer to Build a Strong Record and Strong Case
Depositions can be very useful in the course of a Knoxville car accident victim’s case, but working with an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer is critical to a successful deposition. If you were injured in a serious car accident in Knoxville and you want to build a strong case for compensation using the mechanisms of discovery, like depositions, it is critical to speak with an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer now. An experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer can review the facts, investigate, and start building the strongest case possible for you to get compensation due under Tennessee personal injury laws.
If you are in the Knoxville area and you need legal help, contact the experienced Knoxville car accident lawyers at the law firm Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC. Contact Fox Farley Willis & Burnette PLLC and speak with a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
tncourts.gov/courts/rules-civil-procedure/rules/rules-civil-procedure-rules/rule-3001-when-depositions-may-be