What is Interrogatories?

Interrogatories are a formal set of written questions sent by one party to another during the discovery phase of a personal injury lawsuit. These questions must be answered in writing and under oath, and they are designed to gather detailed information about the claims, defenses, and facts of the case.

Interrogatories help both sides build their cases, evaluate liability, and prepare for trial.

How do interrogatories work in a personal injury case?

During litigation, each party has the right to request information from the other side. Interrogatories are one method of doing this. They are typically served after a lawsuit is filed and must be answered within a set time—usually 30 days. The responding party must answer truthfully and completely, often with help from their attorney.

These questions are written in advance and typically focus on facts, timelines, witnesses, and damages.

• Sent during discovery, before depositions or trial.

• Answered in writing, under oath, with attorney guidance.

• Usually limited in number, depending on the court’s rules (often 25–30).

• Help clarify positions, identify disputes, and uncover useful evidence.

What types of questions are asked in interrogatories?

Interrogatories are used to gather a wide range of information relevant to the lawsuit. In personal injury cases, they may focus on the plaintiff’s medical history, accident details, lost income, or prior injuries. For defendants, questions may probe training, policies, or events leading to the accident.

Well-crafted interrogatories can lead to important admissions or help expose inconsistencies.

• Personal background: Name, address, employment history.

• Accident details: Date, time, location, weather, witness names.

• Medical history: Prior injuries, treatments, or relevant conditions.

• Damages claimed: Lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress.

• Insurance coverage, if applicable.

Why are interrogatories important?

Interrogatories are one of the least expensive and most efficient ways to gather facts in a case. They help narrow the issues, expose weaknesses in the other side’s arguments, and may even lead to early settlement. They also become part of the official case record, and incomplete or dishonest answers can be used at trial to challenge credibility.

Attorneys often use interrogatory responses to prepare for depositions or as evidence in motions.

• Set the foundation for the rest of discovery.

• Can be used to impeach a witness if they change their story.

• Responses are binding and under oath—false answers carry penalties.

• Help assess the strength of the other side’s case early on.

How should you respond to interrogatories?

Interrogatory responses must be truthful, thorough, and submitted on time. If a question is unclear, irrelevant, or objectionable, your attorney can object or request clarification. However, simply ignoring or avoiding questions can lead to court sanctions.

Your lawyer will help draft appropriate responses, protect your rights, and ensure you comply with court rules.

• Work with your attorney to provide accurate, complete answers.

• Object when questions are overly broad, irrelevant, or privileged.

• Don’t guess—it’s better to state “unknown at this time” if truthful.

• Keep a copy of your answers—they can come up again at trial or deposition.

Conclusion

Interrogatories are a key part of the discovery process in personal injury litigation. They allow both parties to ask written questions and gather crucial information to prepare their case. Whether you’re sending or responding, interrogatories can shape the outcome of the case—so it’s vital to handle them carefully and strategically with legal guidance.