Halifax Car Accident Lawyers

After being injured in a car accident, you may be unsure of what legal steps to take to recover compensation for property damage and medical expenses. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes try to hold accident victims accountable in an attempt to pay less.

Our Halifax car accident lawyers can provide the legal support you need to file a personal injury claim to recover the fair compensation you deserve. Insurance providers might attempt to take advantage of those who do not have legal representation. Our lawyers are dedicated to working with you to secure compensation for your medical costs and other expenses. We will not allow the insurance company to violate your rights.

What are the Steps Involved When Filing a Car Accident Claim?

There are several steps that you must follow after being injured in a car crash to ensure you do not lose your right to file an accident claim. For example, failure to report the accident to the insurance company, seek medical attention, or hire a lawyer could lead to unnecessary delays. Sometimes, not taking the proper steps after an accident might make a claim invalid.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Collision

If you are involved in a car accident, report it to the police and contact your insurance company. Even though the claims process may seem straightforward, it is best to obtain representation to help you navigate the legal system.

The most effective way to document your injuries is to be examined by a medical professional. Medical records are crucial evidence a lawyer can use to substantiate your case. Involving a lawyer with experience in the claims process can help you navigate these steps. Their involvement from the beginning means there is less chance that crucial evidence will be missed.

How to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Case

One of the key roles of a car accident lawyer is to determine which driver is at fault and ensure that all liable parties are held accountable for their negligence. An experienced lawyer has the legal and financial resources to gather critical evidence and negotiate a fair settlement with the other party’s insurance company. In most instances, insurance providers are more willing to offer injury victims fair compensation if they know they have skilled legal representation.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

If you have never been involved in a car accident, you may be unsure how to file an accident report with the Halifax police or collect critical evidence to substantiate your case. Understanding these vital steps can make all the difference when collecting maximum compensation for damages.

Steps to Take at the Scene

The first step after a motor vehicle collision is to file an accident report with the police. You can email hrpsot@halifax.ca and include your contact and insurance information, the driver’s licence number of the person driving, your VIN, the date, time, and location, and a brief description of what occurred.

You must also gather critical evidence to substantiate your case, such as taking pictures and video of the accident scene with your cell phone. Also, the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident should be obtained.

Filing Reports and Starting Legal Action

After filing your initial police report, you should hire a car accident lawyer to assist you with an insurance claim. In Nova Scotia, the Limitations of Actions Act has rules that only allow a car accident victim up to two years to file a claim. Although two years can seem sufficient, evidence can quickly disappear, and witnesses can be challenging to locate. For this reason, it is always best to seek qualified legal representation immediately.

What are Common Car Accident Scenarios?

Car accidents can happen for various reasons, but even a minor fender bender could cause victims to deal with unforeseen medical bills. Regardless of the type of car accident, you can pursue compensation that pays for past and future medical expenses and other accident-related damages.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Although there are numerous types of car accident scenarios, there are several that are reported more frequently than others, including:

Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle runs into the back of another vehicle. In many instances, the rear-end driver is determined to be at fault for the accident.
T-bone accidents: When the front of one vehicle impacts the side of another and creates the shape of a “T”. The driver who fails to yield the right of way or violates traffic laws is usually found liable for the collision.
Sideswipe accidents: Sideswipe accidents occur when one vehicle makes contact with the side of another vehicle. They are often the result of drivers failing to check blind spots or making quick lane changes. In most cases, the driver leaving their lane is considered at fault.
Hit-and-run accidents: A hit-and-run accident occurs when one driver flees the accident scene without stopping to exchange information or render assistance. Although leaving the scene of the accident is a criminal offence, the driver is not automatically considered at fault.

Minor vs. Serious Accidents: What You Need to Know

Although you may not have suffered serious injuries if you were involved in a minor accident, you may still be able to recover financial compensation for property damages and out-of-pocket expenses.

Any compensation you may be able to recover will depend on the factors involved and the severity of the crash. For example, the manufacturer could be liable in defective vehicle cases and have to pay compensation for damages, including medical bills, pain and suffering, or funeral and burial expenses for fatal crashes.

What is the Medical and Emotional Impact of Car Accidents?

Accidents take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. The stress of a car crash and the anxiety in the aftermath can result in severe emotional trauma and mental health issues, as well as physical pain and distress. The more obvious and the less obvious issues need to be addressed for you to truly heal.

Managing Medical Treatment After an Accident

Any type of car accident has the potential to cause injuries that require victims to seek medical attention. Even with health insurance, many injured victims incur significant medical expenses that can be challenging to pay. Fortunately, Nova Scotia law allows car accident victims to pursue economic damages that include compensation for:

Past and future medical bills
Ongoing medical care, including physical therapy and rehab
Lost wages

Addressing the Emotional and Psychological Damage

Although it can take considerable time to heal from physical injuries, emotional trauma can often be more challenging to overcome. Unlike economic damages that reimburse victims for financial losses, non-economic damages are compensation for intangible losses that include:

Emotional trauma
Pain and suffering, including PTSD and similar issues
Loss of enjoyment of life

Why Do I Need to Know About Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer?

Deciding on a car accident lawyer to help with your claim can be overwhelming. Before choosing a lawyer, determine their experience level, understand their history of results, and look into whether they communicate actively with clients. This is some of the information that might help you make the best choice for your circumstance.

Choosing the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Halifax

If you are injured in a car accident, you should seek legal representation immediately. However, knowing who to turn to for help can be challenging. Some of the things to keep in mind for selecting the most effective lawyer to handle your case include:

Search for a trusted law firm that has a proven reputation for handling similar cases
Ask about their law office’s trial experience
Read online reviews and client testimonials

What to Expect from a Free Consultation

Most car accident lawyers offer clients a free consultation to evaluate their legal needs. An experienced lawyer will thoroughly evaluate the facts and evidence of the case and determine what legal strategies will provide favorable results and maximum compensation.

How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Help with Financial Recovery and Insurance Claims?

Hiring a car accident lawyer is the best way to ensure the insurance company treats you fairly. Insurance providers often try to offer accident victims settlements that do not adequately provide for lost income and other economic damages. A skilled lawyer can determine appropriate damages as they negotiate a fair financial recovery with the insurer.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

After you have reported the car accident to the insurance company, they will review the facts of the case to determine a settlement. Due to the legal intricacies of managing an insurance claim, it is always best to hire a lawyer to ensure the process goes smoothly. The other party’s insurance company may try to deny or reduce compensation so they do not have to pay a claim.

Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurer to obtain a financial offer, including compensation for lost wages and property damages. This process requires a firm and detail-oriented approach, and is best handled with a skilled team working on your case.

Calculating Economic Losses After an Accident

Economic losses are calculated by determining the tangible costs incurred by the accident victim. Some factors considered in calculating financial losses include past medical bills and future expenses. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer might file a lawsuit to recover damages. However, negotiations between lawyers and insurance providers settle most car accident cases out of court, helping both sides avoid costly litigation.

Call Our Halifax Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you are involved in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you need a Halifax lawyer who will fight to help you get the fair compensation you deserve. NOVA Injury Law is dedicated to guiding clients through all the crucial steps after an accident to ensure they receive the fair treatment and justice they deserve.

Contact our Halifax car accident lawyers today by calling (902) 707-3278 to schedule a free consultation. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide legal help when you need it most.