Preparing for a Car Accident Lawsuit

The single most important preparation for a cardiscussing what they believe the witnesses are saying.
accident lawsuit is the quality of your lawyer. There isThis is not illegal, it is considered a game of semantics.
simply no way around how closely the two areYour lawyer is prepared for these semantics and will
connected. A competent lawyer is going to be on topbe able to deal with them when the lawsuit goes to
of your case every time you call, is going to be willingcourt.
to discuss your lawsuit with you, at length if need be,Your lawyer will initially take a statement from you
and is going to recognize that while he or she dealswhich describe your interpretation of the accident.
with victims daily, this is the first time in your life thatDon't get offended as the lawyer may need to ask a
you have been a serious victim of a car accident.lot of question for clarity as well as present other
Preparing for your lawsuit to go to a jury trial requirespossibilities. You will most likely also be required to give
both mental and physical preparations. For starters,your interpretation of the auto accident to the opposing
you and your auto accident lawyer are going to needside's lawyer before any determination about going to
to present the court evidence of the car accident,trial is made.
evidence that it was the fault for whatever reason ofThe opposing car accident lawyer will have a different
the other driver, and evidence of your injuries.version of events before he or she takes your
Ironically, presenting evidence of your injuries may verydeposition. This is normal, and doesn't necessarily make
well be the most difficult part of the entire lawsuit. It isthe other driver a liar, it simply means that you both
not unheard of for an individual to be in a car accidentexperienced a different auto accident, and see the
and pretend that they acquired an injury that they didevents a little differently than the other.
not legitimately receive.Emotional preparations for a lawsuit may include
Your car accident lawyer has probably recommendedtrauma counseling. Car accidents by nature are
that you get a bare minimum of two doctors' opinions,traumatic and depending on the level of injury you
with the more comfortable number being three or four.sustained, it may be a good idea to get a little
If you have received three or four doctors' opinionscounseling so that you are less emotional while
that your injury was sustained in the car accident andtestifying in the court room during your lawsuit.
that your prognosis is consistent across the board,You don't want to be an emotionless shell, but you
your lawyer will have a much easier time presentingcertainly don't want to come across as unstable or
your case in court.emotionally victimized. The lawsuit is about dealing with
While preparing for your lawsuit, your lawyer is goingthe facts, so you may need a place to deal with the
to bring in any eye witnesses for a deposition. Aemotions. This is normal and in no means can be held
deposition is simply the witness telling the story ofagainst you.
what they observed just prior to, at the time of, andYour lawyer will have reviewed your testimony, but will
just after the car accident. Your car accident lawyernever tell you what to say and what not to say. They
will ask them a series of questions and then ask formay advise you about phrasing things accurately, but
their cooperation in participating in the lawsuit.there is a difference between preparing a witness and
Most of the time, witnesses agree, especially if the cartelling a witness what to say. Expect your lawyer to
accident was particularly foolish, outlandish, or horrific.ask you questions that may make you uncomfortable
While your lawyer is deposing the witnesses, the otherin preparation for the type of questions the opposing
side is doing the exact same thing. They are hoping tolawyer is likely to ask. Above all, trust the advice of
find small holes in their stories or other ways ofyour car accident lawyer.