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How to Prepare to Take the Witness Stand in Your Personal Injury Trial

It is common for a personal injury case to be settled before it ever gets to trail. In many cases, it makes more sense for all parties – including the insurance company and the injured party – to negotiate the deal without the risk of trial. That said, if necessary you can count on Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to take your case to trial. If that happens then you may have to take the stand as a witness. We will prepare you for this based on your own unique needs but until then you can read on for general tips.

Preparing for your testimony can make the process less frightening

Even if you are a person who speaks in front of groups on a regular basis, the idea of talking about an injury that is so personal and perhaps emotional can be daunting. The best way to deal with this fear is to prepare for giving your testimony. When you work with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we will get you ready for the witness stand.

While the specifics will vary based on the specifics of the case, a typical way to handle this preparation is by creating practice sessions with our staff. The person or people you are working with will ask the questions the defense is likely to ask of you. Some of these questions can be jarring and upsetting. They can feel as though they are over the line. By preparing you for them, we can help ensure that the defense does not catch you off guard.

Review the facts before you get on the stand

In almost all cases, it will be at least a year from the date of the accident until the date you take the witness stand. It is understandable that your memory may become fuzzy in this amount of time – especially if you have suffered from serious injuries or brain injuries. Take a look at the documents and your notes about the case. We will go over the facts with you too. If you want to be extra prepared, you can also go to the courthouse where you will be testifying so you can feel more prepared on the day of.

Be honest but know how much to say

It is illegal to lie while under oath. You should tell the truth but you should also know how much to say. When your own attorney is questioning you, they are likely to ask open ended questions so that you can tell the story from your perspective. On the other hand, when the defense cross examines you, the best option is to simply answer yes or no to their questions. Your attorney will go over this with you.

If you have been involved in an accident then you need legal representation. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we can help prepare you for what comes next. Simply give our offices a call at 909-982-0707 and we will get started with a free legal consultation.