One of the most important parts of court proceedings is the discovery hearing. In the discovery hearing, After you file a claim, important documents get exchanged between parties and the judge. The next step is to hold a discovery hearing. This meeting is typically held in a location such as a conferred room. The dialogue that takes place during the hearing is recorded and transcribed by a court stenographer.

One of the many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer is that they help you prepare for what this meeting entails. In every court case, whether civil or criminal proceedings, have both a defendant and plaintiff. In a situation such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or something similar, the other side is referred to as the defendant. In the discovery hearing, the defendant’s lawyer will ask you a handful of questions pertaining to the accident in question. As your personal injury attorney, we will also represent you in court and ask the defendant questions on your behalf.

What Kind Of Questions Can Be Asked In A Discovery Hearing?

First and foremost, the defendant’s lawyer will ask you basic introductory questions. Among these questions may be:

  • What is your name?
  • Where are you from?
  • What is your birth date?
  • Where do you currently live?

Next, the defendant’s lawyer will ask you questions regarding the accident. If the accident in question is a car accident, these questions may be:

  • What happened during the accident?
  • Were you operating the vehicle at the time of the accident?
  • Do you have insurance coverage?
  • What are your policy limits?

In addition to the questions listed above, you may be asked further questions related to your past history or criminal background, if you have one. These question may include:

  • Have you ever pled guilty to a crime?
  • Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
  • What were you arrested for?
  • What was the date of the conviction?
  • What was the nature of the crime and the way it was committed?

How Can I Prepare For A Discovery Meeting?

How many benefits of working with a personal injury lawyer is that they will help you prepare for the discovery hearing. Don’t worry about how you will react to these questions, your lawyer will do a great job of preparing you to ensure that the hearing goes well.

First and foremost, remember to always tell the truth in a discovery hearing. It’s alright if you don’t know the answer to a question, in fact, it’s much better to say you don’t know then to guess. If you accidentally provide untruthful or wrong information, it could affect the outcome of your pending personal injury case.

Always avoid using absolute terms. These are terms such as always, or never. Using terms like this makes it easy to call you out on inconsistencies in your testimony. You can always ask a question to be repeated, and you can answer to the best of your ability. General rules apply, such as don’t interrupt the other lawyer, don’t talk over someone, and be on your best behavior in the quart room. If your lawyer suggests that you review any important documents before the discovery hearing is healthy, be sure to do so to ensure that you are up-to-date with the material and any information you need to know.

A discovery hearing seems like it could be stressful, but the right lawyer will help you be prepared going into it. Always remember, you are entitled to take breaks during the discovery hearing. Always use a break if you are too tired or sore from standing, need to use the restroom, or otherwise feel overwhelmed.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Lawyer For A Car Accident?

At McKiggan Hebert lawyers, we know how hard it can be to recover from any kind of accident. Getting into an accident often means dealing with suspected medical issues. On top of medical issues, medical bills themselves can be a burden. We know that after an accident recovery is difficult, and it can be hard to know how to move forward and get justice for yourself. For that reason, we offer a free case evaluation for anyone who’s been in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or other personal injury in Nova Scotia.

Schedule A Free Personal Injury Case Evaluation With Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today

If you have been involved in any kind of accident in Nova Scotia, turn to a personal injury lawyer for help well before the discovery hearing phase. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can begin building a strong case that holds the negligent party accountable for what you suffered. Schedule your consultation today.