Affidavit

How Affidavits Can Help Your Personal Injury Case in Connecticut

When you file a personal injury claim and believe someone has crucial information that could strengthen your case, you may ask that person to sign an affidavit. In Connecticut, an affidavit is a sworn document in which the affiant (the person making the statement) takes an oath that their statements are true and accurate before signing.

Affidavits can play a significant role in personal injury cases, such as car accidents, truck accidents, or other incidents caused by someone else’s negligence. At the Bert McDowell Law Firm, our experienced attorneys know how to gather the evidence you need—including affidavits from key witnesses—to support your case and maximize your compensation.

What Happens When You Sign an Affidavit?

Signing an affidavit is a formal and precise process. Here’s what typically happens:

1. Drafting the Affidavit:
   Your attorney will work closely with the affiant to draft an affidavit that reflects the facts or events they witnessed. The language will be based on the affiant’s statements to ensure they are comfortable and confident signing the document.
2. Notarization:
   Once the affidavit is finalized, the affiant must sign it in front of a notary public. Before signing, the affiant swears under oath that the statements in the affidavit are true to the best of their knowledge. The notary public then notarizes the document, confirming that they witnessed the signing.

Affidavits may include:

• Facts the affiant knows to be true.
• A version of events the affiant believes to be true, such as what they observed at the scene of a car accident or truck accident.

When working with your attorney, witnesses may sign affidavits to support your claim and demonstrate the other party’s negligence.

When Are Affidavits Used in Personal Injury Cases?

While affidavits can be valuable tools in personal injury cases, they are generally not as strong as sworn testimony given during a trial or deposition.

How Affidavits Are Used Pre-Trial:

Affidavits are often used during pre-trial proceedings to show what a witness is likely to testify to if the case goes to trial. This allows both sides to evaluate the evidence quickly without going through the formal and time-consuming deposition process.

Affidavits at Trial:

In some cases, affidavits may be introduced at trial, such as when a witness is unavailable to testify. However, they are more susceptible to challenges by the opposing side since the statements cannot be cross-examined in real time.

Affidavits are most effective as part of a comprehensive legal strategy, which may also include sworn testimony, expert reports, and other forms of evidence.

Why You Need an Experienced Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyer

Building a strong personal injury case requires more than just filing paperwork—it requires strategy, evidence, and a thorough understanding of the law. At the Bert McDowell Law Firm, our attorneys have the experience and dedication needed to help you prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.

We know how to:

• Identify and secure affidavits from key witnesses to support your claim.
• Use affidavits strategically during pre-trial negotiations and proceedings.
• Build a compelling case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Call Bert McDowell Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Let the Bert McDowell Law Firm handle the complexities of your case so you can focus on your recovery.

Call us today at (475) 231-3274 for a free consultation. We’re here to fight for your rights and ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.