What is “Discovery” in a Car Accident Lawsuit?

After a car accident injury, you have two choices: pursue an injury claim yourself with the insurance company or hire a personal injury attorney to handle the injury claim on your behalf. If you handle the claim yourself, the insurance company will most likely provide a quick settlement offer for you to sign. But things aren’t always what they seem. The amount of compensation they offer to provide may seem large—until you discover the true cost of your injuries.

If you hire an attorney to handle your claim, you’ll probably hear them mention the “discovery” phase of your claim if a lawsuit is filed. During this step, both sides (you and your attorney and the other driver and their attorney) complete the following 3 steps:

1. Written questions – Often called interrogatories, these questions may be related to the accident or they may cover broad topics. You must answer these questions truthfully and to the best of your ability, but your attorney can help you object to any questions that are unclear or confusing.
2. Request for production of documents – Paperwork related to the injury and the accident is gathered. Documents such as medical treatment records, wage loss documents, and photographs of the accident scene may be exchanged between both sides of the lawsuit during this step.
3. Depositions – This step gives both attorneys a chance to ask people involved in the accident about their involvement and the extent of their injuries while under oath. Your attorney can help ensure the process is fair by objecting to unfair questions on your behalf.

Why is Discovery Important?

The information shared during the discovery phase can provide an experienced car accident attorney with the information necessary to determine a fair value for your case. Think of it this way: you can either take the insurance company’s word at face value, or you can rely on the facts of the case to help determine what your case is actually worth.

At Dudley DeBosier the choice is easy, and access to the evidence allows us to fight for the best interests of our clients every day.

Our Louisiana Attorneys Want to Help

Our New Orleans car accident lawyers know the discovery phase of a car accident lawsuit may seem scary or intimidating—especially while you’re recovering from an injury. That’s why we do everything we can to make the process as painless as possible for the clients we help. Our Louisiana attorneys handle car accident cases every day, and we’re here to provide the guidance you deserve every step of the way. So don’t wait if you need help after a car accident—contact us now for a free case review.

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