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Questions That May Be Asked About Your Car Accident

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

lawyer-court-questioningWhen you hire an experienced lawyer to pursue your car accident claim, they will do everything possible to resolve your claim with a fair settlement. However, if a settlement cannot be reached for your injuries and damages, a lawsuit and trial may be necessary.

The Discovery Phase

A car accident lawsuit involves extensive pre-trial preparation, including discovery, a formal procedure where both parties collect and share information about the case before going to trial. This is done to ensure the trial goes smoothly, with each side having the information needed to present their case.

In this phase, you may be required to answer a series of questions about your claim and exchange information about the facts of the accident. You and your lawyer will also have the opportunity to obtain information from the other parties involved.

In California state courts, discovery is governed by the Civil Discovery Act of 1986.

What Are Interrogatories in a Car Accident Case?

Interrogatories are one part of the discovery phase involving a written set of questions sent by one party to another.

These questions must be answered honestly under oath, unless there is a valid objection. The responses are also typically used in trial. Interrogatories allow the parties to ask questions that provide relevant information to the case.

There are two types of questions asked as a part of a list of interrogatories: general questions and specific questions. If you and your lawyer receive both, they will need to be answered separately.

Interrogatories may start with basic questions asking for your full legal name and current mailing address. These questions are relatively straightforward and easy to answer. Much more involved questions regarding the facts of the accident that led to a lawsuit being filed will also be posed. 

Under California law, interrogatories must be completed and returned within 30 days of receiving them.

Types of Questions Asked in Interrogatories

The questions in car accident interrogatories will vary on a case-by-case basis. However, some common questions that may be asked include the following: 

  • How did the accident happen?
  • Where were you going when the accident happened?
  • Did you have auto insurance at the time of the accident?
  • How fast were you driving before the accident?
  • Do you need to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving?
  • Were you on medication when the accident happened?
  • How many accidents have you had in the past decade?
  • Have you missed time from work due to an accident?
  • What injuries did you sustain in the accident?
  • What types of damages have you suffered?
  • Did you obtain medical care after the accident?

You should also be ready to provide a list and description of your injuries, a list of health care providers you have seen to treat your injuries, a description of your wages and employment history, and so forth.

Additional Information Exchanged Between Both Sides

Both sides may also exchange information in other ways. For instance, all parties involved should have exchanged basic contact details and insurance information with one another at the scene of the accident.

Other information could be gathered without the formality of interrogatories, such as requesting copies of medical and work records. All parties involved may also decide to exchange expert witness reports and their qualifications as an expert witness, list of damages incurred, or the identity of anyone who knows details about the accident.

A reputable Sacramento car accident lawyer can help prepare a subpoena to collect all relevant documentation for your case.

Request a Free Case Evaluation

If you have been involved in a car accident and need legal help, contact the Arnold Law Firm. We have helped many injury victims and their families recover fair compensation. In over four decades, our firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. 

An initial consultation is completely free. There is no risk in calling us and no obligation to take legal action. We also charge no upfront fees. We only get paid if we help you obtain a recovery.

Trusted. Local. Lawyers. Phone: (916) 777-7777.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.