When you are in an accident and auto insurance fraud is suspected, you will deal with Deposition Questions. A deposition is where the opposing party’s lawyer(s) asks you questions while under oath after the lawsuit is filed. Your own lawyer(s), a court reporter and people from the opposing party will also be present. Whatever you say at this deposition will essentially lock your position for the upcoming trial, so it’s important to recall the facts as best as you can and to tell the truth to all questions that are posed to you. If you are unsure about the answer to a deposition question, say, “I can’t remember at this time.” Answer the questions as succinctly as possible without offering any additional information.
Deposition Questions about Your Personal Background
As at any deposition, the lawyer(s) will ask you questions about your personal background, including your name, address, telephone number and last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Questions about your work history, family life and education will also be asked.
In auto insurance fraud cases, specific questions about how the accident occurred will help determine whether fraud occurred or not.
Deposition Questions about How the Accident Occurred
- When did you first see the other vehicle?
- What were the weather conditions at the time of the accident?
- What were the traffic conditions at the time of the accident?
- What traffic lights, stop signs, other signs, lane markings, and other notable features were present at the site of the accident?
- What did each driver do and when did he/she do it?
- What was the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident?
- What areas of the cars were struck in the accident?
- Did you say anything to the other driver after the accident?
- Did either of you admit responsibility for the accident?
- What physical damage did each vehicle sustain?
- Do you have photos or diagrams that show the accident scene?
- Did you have your vehicle repaired?
- How much did those repairs cost?
- Were there witnesses to the accident?
- Who were the people who came to the scene within 2 hours after the accident?
Many of the most common auto insurance frauds involve peculiar actions by one of the vehicles and/or involve people who claim to be witnesses, but are really aiding the party attempting to scam the auto insurance company. These deposition questions are asked to help ensure that the truth comes out so that auto insurance fraud is not committed.
Consulting a Lawyer
If you are in an accident and suspect that auto insurance fraud is involved, it is important that you consult a qualified attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you have the most up-to-date and sound legal advice available. A skilled lawyer can help establish your innocence and ensure that you are not defrauded.
