Like other civil suits, auto accident cases involve the discovery process. During this evidence collection phase, involved parties use a variety of procedures to find useful information. One method often used by a car accident lawyer in Naperville, IL is to send interrogatories or written questions for the other party to truthfully answer within a specific time. While these questions are used in many types of litigation, the information here focuses on their use in auto accident suits.
Interrogatories to Defendants
The purpose of an interrogatory is to get information that can help a victim prove their case, and the party or their attorney should send the defendant questions shortly after filing a lawsuit. However, defendants are not required to answer questions deemed privileged or irrelevant. Below is a short list of questions to include:
* Name, address, age and driver license number
* The person’s ownership status concerning the vehicle involved in the accident
* The party’s version of events
* The name of the party’s employer
* Addresses and names of witnesses
* Documents to be used at trial
* The condition of the vehicle at the time of the crash
The goal of these and other questions is to gather evidence that supports one’s claims of car accident liability and to prove a case for damages.
Interrogatories to Plaintiffs
Plaintiffs can expect interrogatories from the defendant’s lawyer. If the plaintiff has a car accident lawyer in Naperville, IL with , they can assist in answering questions and they can file objections to those considered privileged or irrelevant. The questions are asked to obtain information that could prove a plaintiff’s fault, or that their injuries aren’t as severe as claimed. Auto accident defendants typically file interrogatories asking for the following information:
* The plaintiff’s age, name, address and driver license number
* Their version of events
* Addresses and names of witnesses
* The plaintiff’s condition at the time of the crash
* Restrictions on the plaintiff’s license
* Injuries received
* Financial losses claimed
Even if a plaintiff feels that such questions are irrelevant or unwarranted, they must provide objections and/or answers within the allotted time. Failure to answer an interrogatory can result in court sanctions, and it can affect the outcome of the case. To know more visit them onine Shea Law Group.
