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In a deposition, your testimony will be preserved for the record, under oath, in the presence of a certified court reporter. Sometimes, the purpose of a deposition is just to discover what you know and to find out how you will present that information to the jury if your case ever makes it to trial. But the transcript of your deposition can be used in a number of other ways as well. If you have lied during the deposition, or withheld information that should have been disclosed in an answer to a question, the deposition answer that you provided may be used to impeach your testimony or cast doubt on your credibility as a witness. If you forget details about the case at the time of trial, the deposition answer can be used to refresh your recollection, or if you're unable to appear due to illness or death, it can be used to provide the jury with your testimony.

If you've never been questioned in a deposition before, you may not know what to expect, so The Law Offices of Terrence J. Salerno, a personal injury attorney in Omaha, has some tips on how to prepare.

Before your deposition, remember to:

  • Follow The Advice Of Your Attorney: Your lawyer will meet with you to provide you with information about what to expect during the deposition. You may be asked to review documents and review the facts of the case, but you typically do not have to do any research to prepare for your deposition. The attorney will review aspects of your case with you that are expected to be topics during the deposition. The attorney will discuss your current injuries and remind you of any injuries or physical complaints that may be recorded in your past medical records.  In most injury claims your past medical history will be reviewed by opposing counsel in order to determine if you have ever suffered from similar injuries or complaints. So when you are questioned about past medical problems it is important to be honest about any past medical complaints. A failure to honestly answer about past similar medical problems could undermine your case. The failure to disclose past injuries or complaints that are similar to the current complaints may put you at risk for impeachment when you get before the jury at the time of trial.
  • As a legal professional, your attorney has been through this process several times and will be able to anticipate potential issues that could come up during the deposition.  Your attorney can also help you recognize and prepare to answer any potential problem areas that might come up during your deposition. If you have any questions or concerns, you need to address them with your attorney before the deposition. The conversation you have with your attorney is confidential, so it is important that you engage in an honest discussion so your attorney can know how to best prepare you for any issues that arise.
  • Personal Injury AttorneyGet Plenty Of Rest: A deposition is mentally taxing, so make sure you get plenty of rest and avoid drinking the night before, so you can avoid getting confused while giving your testimony.
  • Dress Appropriately: This meeting is also your chance to make a good impression on the opposing attorney, so dress as you would for a courtroom appearance.

With more than 30 years of experience as a wrongful death and personal injury attorney, Terrence J. Salerno and his associates will provide the legal representation you need when you've been injured due to the carelessness of another. If you need a skilled auto accident attorney, they can help ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Visit The Law Offices of Terrence J. Salerno website now to see their full list of practice areas, or just call (866) 787-2598 to schedule a consultation today.

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