{"id":352938,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/fact-finding-understanding-the-discovery-process.html"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:20:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T22:20:56","slug":"fact-finding-understanding-the-discovery-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/fact-finding-understanding-the-discovery-process.html","title":{"rendered":"The Discovery Process in Personal Injury Cases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Discovery Process in Personal Injury Cases<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

If a personal injury claim goes to court, both parties must complete the process of discovery. This step establishes facts and evidence that are relevant to the injury lawsuit. Discovery takes three basic forms: written discovery, document production, and depositions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Personal injury law follows the principle that there should be as few surprises as possible during a lawsuit. The federal court system requires both sides to share (disclose) all relevant facts and documents to the opposing side before trial. This idea applies in virtually every state.<\/p>\n

Disclosure is accomplished through a methodical process called “discovery.” Different types of discovery and fact-finding occur in the early stages of a personal injury lawsuit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Completing each legal step properly and strategically will protect your claim. A personal injury lawyer<\/a> can help you throughout the legal process.<\/p>\n

What Are the Stages of the <\/span>Discovery Process<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

The discovery<\/a> phase in a personal injury case generally involves:<\/p>\n