After you file a car accident claim, your case is on track to move through litigation. Whether you are involved in a car accident in California as a passenger or as a driver, it’s common for there to be different accounts of how the accident happened. These competing versions of events can only be analyzed and sorted through help of the court system. After you have filed your lawsuit, the court system serves the defendant with notice of that impending lawsuit. The defendant is then eligible to file an answer to your petition or complaint. The next phase of the lawsuit begins once that answer has been filed. This is known as discovery. During discovery, both sides share information about their perspective on the case. One of the tools usually made available is an interrogatory. This is frequently the first discovery effort made following a lawsuit’s commencement.

Interrogatories are lists of questions that can be sent to the opposing party in a lawsuit. Typically, an interrogatory is limited to 30 or 45 questions so that neither side feels overwhelmed or unnecessarily burdened with information. It is important to remember that interrogatories should be answered under oath and usually within a 30-day period. Some of the most common questions associated with interrogatories include:

  • What medical treatment have you had since the accident?
  • How much in lost wages are you claiming?
  • What kind of injuries are you claiming?
  • What medications have you taken since the accident?
  • How did the accident happen?
  • Are you aware of any witnesses who saw the accident?
  • Have you previously filed for bankruptcy, workers’ compensation or another legal claim?

As always, being informed with the help of an experienced California car accident attorney can go a long way towards protecting your interests.