A judge or a jury decides the outcome based on the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. This is a much lower burden of proof than in a criminal case. It essentially means it is more likely than not (greater than 50% certainty) that the defendant’s actions caused the plaintiff’s harm. There is no verdict of “guilty” or “not guilty”; the finding is typically “liable” or “not liable” for the damages claimed.

Yes, if the details are speculative, irrelevant, or admit partial fault without full context. Only provide details that are directly relevant to the incident. Do not guess at causes or accept blame. Stick to what you know for certain and can support. A concise, fact-based account is stronger than a long narrative filled with assumptions, which can be used to create inconsistencies or shift blame.

General liability is a broad category of insurance that covers common business risks from everyday operations. It’s not for auto or professional errors. Instead, it typically covers third-party bodily injury (like a customer slipping in a store), third-party property damage (like damaging a client’s property), and personal/advertising injury (like libel or slander). It’s a foundational coverage for most businesses to protect against claims from customers, vendors, or the public for incidents that occur on business premises or from general business activities.