What Happens After a Deposition in a Car Accident Case?

• April 7, 2025

What happens after a deposition in a car accident case plays a huge role in bringing everything into focus—but it doesn't usually happen all at once. While it's a critical turning point, the road ahead depends on several moving pieces, from legal strategies to potential settlement discussions.

Understanding how things unfold after a deposition can put you at ease and help you feel more in control. Consider the following legal insights from experienced Detroit car accident lawyers who have helped many before you fight for the personal injury compensation they deserve after someone else’s negligent actions cause harm.

What Is a Deposition?

A deposition is a formal process where both sides gather information through sworn testimony. It’s a vital step in most car accident cases, as it allows all parties to collect and clarify facts about the accident, your injuries, and how your life has been affected. Think of it as laying the foundation for the rest of your case.


The deposition typically happens in a controlled setting, such as a conference room. You, your attorney, the opposing attorney, a court reporter, and sometimes representatives from the other party may be present. Everything you say is recorded, creating a transcript that serves as an official record.

During a car accident deposition, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions, including but not limited to:

• Basic details like your name, address, occupation, and background.


• Details from the day of the accident such as where you were going, what you were doing, and how the accident occurred from your perspective.


• The nature and extent of your injuries, how they affect your daily life, and the treatments you’ve undergone.


• Impacts on your ability to work, enjoy daily activities, and handle responsibilities.


• Questions about your health history to determine if the accident aggravated any pre-existing conditions.

Your responses during a deposition can influence what happens next in your car accident case. You can approach the process with clarity and confidence with the right legal guidance.

What to Expect Immediately After Your Deposition

The court reporter prepares a transcript.

During your deposition, everything you say is recorded by a court reporter. After the session, their job is to type up this recording into a written transcript. That document becomes an official record of your testimony. Key things to note about these documents include:

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  • The transcript is usually shared with both sides once it's ready.
  
  
  • You may be able to review the transcript for accuracy and correct any mistakes through an"errata review."
    
  
  
  
  

This initial step may take anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on the complexity of the testimony and the court reporter's workload.

Attorneys analyze the testimony.

Once the deposition transcript is available, your personal injury lawyer will review it carefully. They will look for inconsistencies, strong points, or areas that could raise challenges in settlement discussions or court. Car accident settlement taxable questions may also come up at this stage, especially if you're receiving compensation for lost wages or punitive damages—your attorney can help clarify what portions, if any, might be subject to tax.

Similarly, the opposing party, likely the insurance company's legal team, will review your testimony to assess the strength of their defense, consider potential settlement offers, or identify weak spots they might use to their advantage.

Strategy refinements.

Based on what comes out of the deposition, your attorney may adjust their approach. For instance:

• Clarifying or gathering more evidence to support your claim.


• Addressing any unexpected challenges that surfaced during your testimony.


• Strengthening negotiation tactics if the next step involves settlement discussions.

Rest assured, a solid legal team knows how to adapt and stay one step ahead as your case progresses.

Settlement negotiations might ramp up.

After the deposition, the opposing party may feel more confident about offering a settlement if:

• Your testimony reveals undeniable evidence supporting your claim.


• Your injuries and damages are clearly outlined and well-documented.


• The risk of going to trial outweighs their desire to contest your case.

However, insurance companies often aim to settle for as little as possible. Your personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable support by ensuring any offer reflects the full value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

You may receive a settlement offer.

If the opposing side finds your case compelling but wants to avoid the costs or risks of a trial, they may present an initial settlement offer. This can happen shortly after the deposition or further down the line.

Accepting an offer is a big decision, and your attorney should help you evaluate whether it's in your best interest. A quick personal injury settlement may not always represent your current and future recovery needs. Skilled legal support can help ensure you're not short-changed in the process.

What Are the Outcomes of a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Settlement outcomes vary widely depending on the unique circumstances of your case. Understanding the possible resolutions can give you valuable insight into what might happen after a deposition for a car accident case.

Settlement Outcomes to Anticipate

Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements rather than going to trial. This outcome typically includes compensation designed to address the specific losses caused by the accident, including but not limited to:

• Compensation for medical expenses. Reimbursement for past treatments and projected future medical care related to your injuries.


• Lost wages and future earnings. You may need coverage for income you've already missed, as well as the potential loss of future earnings if your injuries prevent you from working.


• Pain and suffering damages. Non-economic damages that take into account the physical and emotional toll the accident has had on your life.


• Property damage recovery. Reimbursement for damages to your vehicle or other personal property involved in the accident.


• Punitive damages. Occasionally awarded in cases involving clear negligence or recklessness by the at-fault party, though less common.

Strong deposition testimony may help secure settlements that cover various categories of damages. These could include lump-sum payments or structured settlements paid out over time, customized to meet your financial and recovery needs. It’s also helpful to know about filing a police report, as it often serves as key evidence during depositions and settlement negotiations.

Legal outcomes are never guaranteed and the process is full of potential complications. Speaking with an experienced Detroit car accident lawyer early on after your accident can help mitigate these challenges, giving you the best chance of securing a resolution in your favor.

What Types of Compensation Claims Do I Have to Give a Deposition For?

Depositions are vital to many personal injury cases, helping both sides gather detailed, sworn testimony about what happened, how you were injured, and the impact of those injuries. 

While car collisions are among the most common scenarios requiring depositions, they're not the only ones. If you're pursuing one of the following types of compensation claims, you may need to provide a deposition:

• Auto accidents: This includes a range of car crashes, from minor collisions to more severe accidents involving injuries, property damage, or disputes about fault.


• Trucking accidents: Cases involving commercial trucks often require extensive discovery to uncover key evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance records, and testimony from both parties.


• Slip-and-fall or premises liability cases. If you've been hurt on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions, your deposition helps clarify what happened, the negligence involved, and your resulting losses.


• Dog bite injuries. Depositions can establish how the incident occurred, if the animal's owner was negligent, and the severity of your physical and emotional injuries.


• Medical malpractice claims. When a healthcare professional's error causes harm, depositions are often used to explore the event in detail, including testimony from medical experts and the injured party.


• Commercial vehicle accidents. Similar to car and trucking accidents, claims involving company-owned vehicles add complexity, requiring testimony to establish negligence on behalf of the driver or the company.

While providing depositions for any type of personal injury case may seem intimidating, they're only one part of the process. A skilled attorney will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your voice is heard, and the claim is presented clearly and persuasively. This guidance also helps when determining your car accident claim worth, as your testimony can influence how much compensation you may ultimately receive.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Case After a Deposition?

While some cases might move toward a settlement in just a few weeks, others can take months or even years to resolve. Several factors influence the timeline, such as:

• Case complexity: More complicated cases, especially those involving severe injuries or multiple parties, often require additional time to gather evidence and sort out legal details.


• Settlement negotiations: If the at-fault party or their insurer is open to a fair settlement, the process can move faster. However, disputes or lowball offers can cause delays.


• Court schedules: If the case proceeds to trial, the timeline will depend on how quickly the court can hear your case. Backlogged court systems may add months to the process.

While the process can feel lengthy, having an experienced attorney ensures that each step is managed efficiently and with your best interests in mind. They will keep pushing your case forward while advocating for the compensation you deserve.

Worried About Car Accident Depositions? Contact Goodman Acker, P.C. for Experienced Legal Support

Every auto accident case is unique, and no two deposition experiences are exactly alike. Are you looking for trusted guidance to help you get through this process? A dedicated legal team can provide the clarity and confidence needed to move your case forward.

When you work with a law firm that truly cares about your outcome, you have more than just legal representation. You have an ally ready to help you reclaim the peace of mind you deserve. 

Whether negotiating with insurance companies or preparing for a trial, experienced legal assistance can provide invaluable support that helps recover fair compensation.

Are you ready to take the next step? Reach out online or at (248) 831-1507 for a free consultation to learn how legal advocacy can shape the future of your case.