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What Happens After a Car Accident Deposition?
Robert Stahle • July 31, 2024
When you become injured in an auto accident
, you have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. However, these incidents can sometimes be complicated, making settlements more challenging. This is where a deposition comes in. Read on to learn about car accident depositions and what happens afterward.
What is a Deposition?
In a deposition, both parties involved in the accident gather crucial information to discover more about the case. In this process, your lawyer will collect and preserve testimonies from a witness, also called a deponent, to prepare for further legal proceedings. There are three types of deposition, including:
- Written Deposition - This involves providing deponents questionnaires they can answer freely within a given timeframe. While a written deposition is efficient, it may lack more detailed answers due to the absence of in-person questioning.
- Oral Deposition - An oral deposition involves questioning by legal representatives, usually in an attorney’s office. While it can be tricky to conduct due to scheduling logistics, this method allows both parties to discover crucial details about the case through observation and follow-up questions .
- Video Deposition - This combines the elements of written and oral depositions, where the deponent's testimonies are captured on video. It allows easy playback for the jury even when the witness isn’t present.
Now that you know the types of depositions, you might wonder what happens afterward. Here’s what to expect:
- Transcript Preparation: After the deposition, a court reporter will prepare a transcript of all the testimonies, providing both parties with a detailed account of different witness perspectives.
- Transcript Review: Once the transcripts have been provided, your lawyer will review them to identify any errors or conflicting information. If needed, another deposition may be scheduled to ensure accuracy.
- Deposition Evaluation and Discussion: When your lawyer has finished reviewing and correcting any inaccurate details on the transcripts, they will evaluate them and discuss the best plan of action with you.
- Medical Examination Request: This may be requested following the deposition to ensure all claims are valid in relation to the extent of your injuries. Preparing for this with your attorney is essential to avoid being a victim of tactics that could impact your case negatively.
- Settlement or Trial: Each car accident case is different. So, the deposition and negotiation with the other party will determine whether your case will end with a settlement or a trial.
Get in Touch With a Trusted Attorney
Car accident depositions can help determine the next process for your legal case. So, a reputable lawyer is essential to ensure sound decision-making and higher chances of success. Contact Fitch & Stahle Law Office for reliable legal representation in IAand NE.
Including Dram Shop Liability
How a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice Each year, drunk driving crashes leave thousands injured or killed—causing devastating emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Despite strict DUI laws and public awareness campaigns, impaired drivers continue to pose a serious threat across Iowa, Nebraska, and the country. For victims, the aftermath of a drunk driving accident is more than just painful—it can be life-altering. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we fight to hold negligent drivers (and sometimes even the businesses that served them) accountable under the law. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a drunk driver, we’ll explain your legal options, including how Nebraska’s Dram Shop law may play a role in your case. Why File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not just illegal—it’s a reckless act that endangers everyone on the road. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired, they can (and should) be held civilly liable for the damage they cause. While a criminal DUI case focuses on punishing the offender, a civil personal injury lawsuit is about helping you rebuild. It allows you to pursue compensation for: Medical expenses (past and future) Lost wages and diminished earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional trauma Property damage Rehabilitation costs Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness) Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law: Holding Alcohol Providers Accountable Under Nebraska’s Dram Shop Law , victims of drunk driving accidents may also be able to file a lawsuit against the business or establishment that overserved the intoxicated driver. Here’s how it works: A licensed alcohol vendor (such as a bar, restaurant, or event venue) can be held liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor , and that person later caused injury or death. Nebraska law limits these claims to commercial sellers of alcohol—not social hosts. A dram shop claim can help recover damages if the drunk driver lacks adequate insurance or personal assets. This area of law is complex, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to navigate the strict requirements and timelines involved in dram shop litigation. That’s why working with a firm like Fitch & Stahle , which handles cases in both Nebraska and Iowa , is crucial. What Needs to Be Proven in a Drunk Driving Case? To recover damages in a drunk driving lawsuit, your legal team must prove the following: Duty of care – The driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely. Breach of duty – That responsibility was violated by driving impaired. Causation – The impairment directly led to the accident and your injuries. Damages – You experienced real harm—such as medical costs, lost income, or emotional distress. In dram shop cases, your lawyer will also need to demonstrate that the bar or establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual who went on to cause the crash. Why You Need a DUI Injury Lawyer in Nebraska or Iowa Drunk driving cases are rarely straightforward—especially when multiple parties may share liability. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts, shift blame, or dispute your injuries altogether. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we will: Preserve key evidence such as police reports, BAC results, surveillance video, and eyewitness accounts Analyze potential dram shop liability Work with medical and accident reconstruction experts to build your case Identify all available sources of compensation Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies—or take your case to trial if needed Our team has deep experience with Nebraska’s unique dram shop provisions and Iowa’s liability standards. We understand what it takes to hold all negligent parties accountable. What Damages Can You Recover? Depending on the specifics of your case, compensation may include: Economic damages : Medical bills, lost income, future treatment costs, property loss Non-economic damages : Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship Punitive damages : Intended to punish especially reckless conduct—like drunk driving In cases where dram shop liability applies, these claims can be especially valuable when the at-fault driver is underinsured or has no assets. Time Is Critical – Act Now In Nebraska, the statute of limitations for personal injury and dram shop lawsuits is typically four years , but specific timelines may apply depending on the facts of your case. Evidence like surveillance footage and eyewitness memories can fade fast—so it’s essential to speak with an attorney right away. Get Help from a Sioux City Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Nebraska Dram Shop Law If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver—especially one who may have been overserved at a Nebraska bar or restaurant—you have the right to seek full and fair compensation. At Fitch & Stahle Law Firm , we’ve helped countless clients across Sioux City , Iowa , and Nebraska recover after devastating crashes. We’ll handle the legal details so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation — and let’s start fighting for the justice you deserve.