What Are Interrogatories for a Car Accident Claim?

An interrogatory is a set of written questions used to ascertain important information about a car accident claim.

An interrogatory is a written set of questions used to clarify and record important information related to a car accident claim. The process allows both parties to share accounts of the crash and information related to their damages. While this is a normal procedure in a car accident claim, being questioned under oath can feel daunting, especially if you do not have a legal background. 

A lawyer can support you through the interrogatory process. An injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, consider all your legal options, and ensure that you fulfill your obligation of answering questions without harming your case. If you are looking for more information about the interrogatory process, you can find out more during a case review with a law firm. 

What Should I Expect From an Interrogatory?

If you suffered injuries in a car accident, you have the right to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer or bring a lawsuit against the driver. If you were the party at fault, a case might be filed against you. You may be required to fill out a written interrogatory in either situation. 

Interrogatories are written questions that one party in a lawsuit sends to the other. Typically, the court limits these questions to 30 or 45 to ensure that one party only asks relevant questions and does not overwhelm or harass the other with irrelevant questions. Interrogatories are available to each side. Therefore, the plaintiff will send a set of interrogatories to the defendants and vice versa. It is worth noting that the party receiving the questions must answer them under oath within 30 days. 

In a car accident, each party has its version of the story. Therefore, car accident interrogatories could ask about the cause of the accident. Interrogatories help you understand what the other party believes to be the cause of the accident so that you can prepare your court case. Some of the elements addressed in a car accident interrogatory include:

Details About the Accident

The other party may ask you to give details about what you remember before and after the accident. You will need to give details such as the date and location of the accident, vehicles involved in the accident, witnesses you observed, and any other relevant information. 

You will also need to give information about any property damage that occurred at the accident scene. 

Your State at the Time of the Accident

The parties can ask one another questions related to their substance abuse background, medications that they were taking at the time of the accident, and other information related to a driver’s mental health. The other party may want to determine if you were under the influence of drugs or had fallen asleep behind the wheel at the time of the crash. 

They may also inquire about your activities prior to the accident. 

Medical Treatment and History

If you were injured in a car accident, you will be asked about the medical treatment you received after the accident. 

You must disclose all the treatment details, including information about your ambulance travel, doctor’s assessment, medications, rehabilitation plan, and more. The other party may ask if you have received any compensation through your insurance company.

Details of Your Employment and Lost Wages

You will be asked about your employment situation. You will need to disclose details of your current and historical wages and any other benefits you are entitled to in your employment history. 

Furthermore, they may ask you about any lost wages you faced when you were receiving your treatment. If you missed work while in the hospital or your injuries left you with impairments, which prevented you from earning, you will be required to discuss this information. These details are particularly important, especially when you are pursuing compensation for your lost wages or loss of earning capacity.

Driving Record

The parties may ask one another questions about their driving history, including any traffic violations they’ve received. If you’ve been in a car accident previously, you may be asked to give details about your crash history.

A Lawyer Can Help You With Your Car Accident Interrogatories

The opposing party will be looking for information in your answers to build a case against you. Any inconsistency or implied admission of fault can be used to discredit you or to prove that you were responsible for the crash.

The good news is that our lawyers will work with you to help you answer the interrogatories in a way that does not jeopardize your case. A lawyer can prepare you for an interrogatory and submit a list of questions to the defendant. 

Having a car accident lawyer on your side also means that you have:

• Guidance with every step of the legal process
• Someone who understands the law and can protect your rights
• Someone advocating for your best interests throughout the case

Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Case Review

If you were hurt in a car accident and are required to answer car accident interrogatories, the lawyers at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers can represent you. Our attorneys will give you the support and advice you need to achieve the most favorable outcome. Additionally, we require no upfront fees and only receive payment for our services if we win for you.

Call us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation: (843) 779-1777.