How A Springfield Personal Injury Lawyer Guides A Plaintiff Through Interrogations
Do plaintiffs in personal injury cases have to undergo interrogations? Yes. After personal injury lawsuits are filed, they enter a phase called the “discovery” process. These processes are a lot like depositions. Court-appointed mediators oversee these processes. Both parties (plaintiffs and defendants) have to answer a series of questions in writing. These questions are technically known as “interrogatories.” Answer these questions correctly and the discovery process of the case goes smoothly for the plaintiffs. Every leading personal injury lawyer in Springfield MA knows how to answer interrogatories. Although most personal injury cases settle, many make it to the discovery process. Attorneys prepare plaintiffs for this possibility in advance. Here’s how.
Interrogations During the Discovery Phase
Interrogations or interrogatories conducted during the discovery process are not like legal interrogations. They happen in writing. Neither party has to answer over 25 questions during this process. The goal of interrogatories is to collect basic information about the accident behind the personal injury case. Plaintiffs can be asked to answer details about the accident, their injuries, medical histories, and their backgrounds. A top Springfield personal injury lawyer will always go through these questions with their clients in advance. Why? Because all answers to these questions are given under oath. Plaintiffs can get in legal trouble if they lie. So, disclosing the truth about details like financial history, criminal background, types of injuries sustained, etc., is very important.
How to Answer the Questions
Unlike criminal interrogations, interrogatories can be answered comfortably. The defendant sends in the question. The plaintiff has 30 days to answer these questions honestly. Sticking to the facts of the accident/case is also vital. Plaintiffs must only answer what’s being asked of them. They should avoid sharing assumptions or hypotheticals. A plaintiff’s responses will be used against him/her later during the trial. So, giving only fact-based answers is very important.
What if I Don’t Want to Answer Questions?
Many questions asked in interrogatories tend to be vague, personal, or irrelevant to the accident or the case. A personal injury lawyer in Springfield MA will always advise injury victims to avoid answering those questions. Every plaintiff has the right to object to questions asked in interrogatories. But this same right extends to defendants as well. If the plaintiff sends in a series of questions asking for privileged information, the defendant can refuse to answer them. However, both plaintiffs/defendants can ask the court to oblige the other party to answer a specific question.
How Attorneys Help
Interrogatories are written. Plaintiffs get at least 30 days to answer the questions sent in by the defendant. But these factors don’t make this process any easier. Answering these questions precisely is key to winning the case. Sending questions to the defendants that boost the chances of winning is also important. A top Springfield personal injury lawyer will aid plaintiffs in both the processes – sending and answering interrogatories. These professionals know how to draft questions that reveal the facts of the case. They also know how to promote the plaintiff’s best interests while answering interrogatories. To read more Click Here