Each and every citizen, according to the United States Constitution, is entitled to a Trial by Jury.  Essentially, this is true, with the exception of some types of cases (e.g., Small Claims matters, minor crimes, etc).  An injured person has the right to present the facts of their case to a jury of six persons in a civil matter and expect them to decide the matter to verdict.

 

In order to properly prepare for trial, a case begins almost as soon as an accident occurs.  Investigations will secure the testimony of witnesses (and the substance of their testimony).  Photographs of a scene, of a plaintiff’s injuries, and photographs of property damage, defects, and/or dangerous conditions will all contribute to a good presentation at trial.

 

A client needs to be prepared prior to trial, but more importantly needs to be prepared prior to their deposition.  A deposition is testimony given under oath and can be referred to at trial.  The client’s testimony is embodied in a “Deposition Transcript” and is almost always used at trial by your adversary.  Therefore, a client must be well prepared because his or her statements at deposition are as important as if they were made at trial. A client will be prepared on three main issues: 1) the client’s pedigree (or personal information) 2) the issue of “fault” and how an accident took place and 3) the “damages” issues (i.e., to what degree did the client’s injuries cause him or her to suffer financially and the “pain and suffering” aspect of the case.

Trials are the only means of a person to receive justice.  The injured person is given an opportunity to tell a jury how the were caused to be harmed.  It is the only time that an injured person may ask to be compensated.