Legal Process and Court Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real Accident Lawyer Tips practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Legal Process and Court Procedures flashcards as text
What is 'discovery' in a personal injury lawsuit?
Answer: The pre-trial exchange of information and evidence between parties
Discovery allows both sides to gather facts through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests before trial.
What is a 'deposition' in an accident lawsuit?
Answer: A sworn out-of-court testimony recorded for use in litigation
Depositions are sworn oral testimony taken outside of court that can be used at trial to establish facts or impeach witnesses.
What does 'burden of proof' mean in a civil accident case?
Answer: The plaintiff must prove the defendant's negligence by a preponderance of the evidence
In civil cases, the plaintiff must show it is more likely than not (over 50%) that the defendant's negligence caused the harm.
What are 'interrogatories' in a personal injury case?
Answer: Written questions that the opposing party must answer under oath
Interrogatories are formal written questions exchanged during discovery that must be answered under penalty of perjury.
What is a 'motion for summary judgment' in an accident case?
Answer: A request asking the court to rule in one party's favor without a trial because no genuine dispute of fact exists
Summary judgment is granted when there are no disputed facts and one party is entitled to win as a matter of law.
What is 'voir dire' in an accident lawsuit trial?
Answer: The process of questioning and selecting jurors
Voir dire is the jury selection process where attorneys question prospective jurors to identify bias and select a fair panel.