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Glossary

Interrogatories

Written questions that one side in a lawsuit sends to the other side, which must be answered in writing and under oath.

Last reviewed By the Editorial team 1 min read

General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Quick answer

Interrogatories are written questions that one side in a lawsuit sends to the other, which must be answered in writing and under oath. They are part of Discovery. The stage of a lawsuit in which each side must share documents and answer questions under oath. Glossary, the stage of a lawsuit where each side gathers evidence from the other.

In a car accident claim#

Interrogatories only come up once a lawsuit is filed. In a crash case they often ask how the crash happened, whether anyone was using a phone, what injuries and treatment followed, which doctors you saw before and after, what income you lost and what insurance applies. The injured person can send questions to the other driver too.

In federal court, a party may send up to 25 without the court's permission, and answers are due within 30 days. State courts set their own limits and deadlines. Answers can be used later as evidence, so many people check them carefully against their records and reread them before a Deposition. Sworn testimony given out of court, in front of a court reporter, during discovery. Glossary. Our guide to filing a lawsuit shows where this fits.

Example#

Questions people ask

Can interrogatories be sent to witnesses?

No. Interrogatories go only to the parties in the lawsuit. Witnesses who are not parties are usually questioned at a deposition or asked for documents by subpoena.

What happens if interrogatories are not answered?

The other side can ask the court to order answers, and a court can impose penalties for failing to respond. Objections must also be raised on time, or they may be lost.

Sources

  1. Cornell LII Wex, Interrogatories — definition, who must answer and motions to compel
  2. United States Courts, Glossary of legal terms — interrogatories as pretrial discovery in civil cases
  3. Cornell LII, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 33(a)(1) — as of October 2026

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.

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