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Once a deposition wraps up, both sides typically take a close look at the sworn testimony to reassess the strengths and weaknesses of the case. In many personal injury cases, this review leads to renewed settlement talks; if the case doesn’t settle, it moves further toward trial preparation.
A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony, usually given under oath in front of a court reporter, and it becomes part of the official record — meaning what’s said there can be used later, including at trial if the testimony is inconsistent with something said afterward.
How the deposition goes often shifts the tone of negotiations. A Georgia personal injury lawyer can help you understand what your specific testimony likely means for your case’s next steps.
After a deposition, attorneys on both sides typically review the transcript to see how the testimony holds up — whether it was consistent, credible, and supportive of the underlying claims or defenses.
Insurance companies often use a plaintiff’s deposition to gauge how the case would likely play out in front of a jury, which directly influences how much they’re willing to offer.
A deposition that goes well for the injured party — clear, consistent, credible testimony — can push an insurer toward a more reasonable settlement offer, since it signals the case would likely perform well at trial.
On the other hand, inconsistencies, gaps in memory, or contradictions with medical records can give the insurer more leverage to argue for a lower value or continue disputing parts of the claim.
If settlement talks stall after depositions, the case typically moves into the later stages of discovery and trial preparation, including expert witness depositions and pretrial motions.
Depositions taken earlier in the case can still be used at trial — for example, to challenge a witness whose trial testimony differs meaningfully from what they said under oath during the deposition.
Reviewing your deposition transcript with your attorney afterward can help you understand how the other side is likely to characterize your testimony going forward.
Staying consistent in any future statements, and continuing appropriate medical treatment, helps preserve the credibility your deposition testimony established.
No, but it can improve your negotiating position significantly. A strong deposition signals to the insurer that the case would likely go well at trial, which often increases settlement offers.
It varies by case, but many insurers reassess their position within weeks of receiving the deposition transcript, though some cases take longer to move toward renewed negotiations.
Yes. Deposition testimony is part of the official record and can be used to challenge inconsistent statements made later, including at trial.
The case generally continues toward trial preparation, which can include additional discovery, expert witness depositions, and pretrial motions before it’s resolved.
It varies widely depending on the complexity of the case, from under an hour for a narrow issue to several hours for a plaintiff with an extensive medical history.
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