Many car accident claims are settled without the need to go to court. However, if the insurance company will not offer you a reasonable settlement, you will need to file a civil lawsuit against the negligent driver. A lengthy part of the litigation process is the discovery phase where both sides exchange information about the facts concerning the accident, injuries, and other aspects of the case. The first step in the discovery phase is often for each party to send Interrogatories to be answered by the opposing party.
What Are Interrogatories?
Interrogatories are written questions that must be answered under oath. The list of questions may be limited by the court to approximately 30 to 45 questions. They must be answered in approximately 30 days.
Types of Questions Asked in Interrogatories
Interrogatories are a useful tool to obtain basic information about the negligent driver, the accident, and you. Here are some of the questions that your attorney may ask the negligent driver or that his lawyer may ask you:
- State how you believe the accident occurred.
- Provide the name, address, and telephone number of the insurance company and the policy number for any auto insurance for the vehicle involved in the crash.
- How fast were you driving at the time of the collision?
- Were you ever involved in an auto accident as the driver in the last 10 years? If so, provide the date, details of the accident, and outcome of any insurance company settlement or lawsuit.
- Provide the name, address, and telephone number for any known witnesses to the crash.
- Were you taking any medications at the time of the accident? If so, state the name of the medication, dosage, and how soon prior to the collision that you took it.
- List any traffic violations you have received within the last 10 years.
- Were you ever convicted of a misdemeanor or felony? If so, provide details of the crime and your sentence.
- Did you consume alcohol or drugs within 24 hours of the accident? If yes, state the type, amount, and time it was consumed.
- List any pictures, videos, diagrams, or reports concerning the crash and who has possession of them.
In addition to these general questions, the attorney for the negligent driver would also ask you questions about your injuries, your medical treatment, and your wage losses.
Contact Us for Help If You Were Injured in a Car Accident
If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto collision in Norfolk, our experienced car accident attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve and will litigate your claim if this is in your best interests. To learn more about your options, fill out our convenient online form to schedule a free consultation today.
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