Car & Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Halifax & Annapolis Valley
A motor vehicle accident occurs when a motor vehicle (car, truck, bus or motorcycle) hits another vehicle, a pedestrian, or an object. Car accidents can have severe consequences, including property damage, injury, and death.
Motor vehicle accidents happen every day in Nova Scotia, whether it’s due to poor road conditions, automotive malfunction or more usually due to driver error (excessive speeding, impairment from drugs or alcohol, inattention and carelessness). If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, our motor vehicle accident lawyers in Halifax and the Annapolis Valley will help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Accidents are Considered as Motor Vehicle Accidents?
- ATV Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
Our lawyers handle many types of motor vehicle related accidents. Whether you were in a vehicle, on a bicycle or were a pedestrian in an accident we can help.
“Minor Injury” Accidents in Nova Scotia
If your accident occurred in Nova Scotia, the government has limited the amount you can recover if your injury is considered a “minor injury”. Do not assume that your injury is “minor” even if that’s what you’re being told by the insurance company.
What Insurance Benefits are Available for Car Accidents in Nova Scotia?
When you are in a motor vehicle or car-pedestrian accident, there are a number of different types of insurance that you may be entitled to access. If you are unsure of the type of coverage you are entitled to, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our motor vehicle accident lawyers.
Nova Scotia has an Insurance Act. This statute passed by the provincial legislature mandates the various types of insurance and coverage that apply to Nova Scotians. In the standard auto policy, for anyone who owns or operates a motor vehicle, there are 4 types of coverage.
Section A – Injured at the Fault of Another
This section (referred to as PLPD or Public Liability and Property Damage) applies when you were injured at the fault of another person. You may bring a claim against the other driver’s Section A insurance for injuries and damages caused by him or her. In Nova Scotia, the statutory minimum coverage for any motor vehicle insurance policy is $500,000.00. Most people should have more than the minimum, and typically a policy will carry protection for $1,000,000 or more.
Section B – Compensation for Medical Expenses & Lost Wages
Known as First Person or No-Fault Car Accident Insurance, Section B provides income and medical expenses coverage regardless of fault for the accident. This applies to every auto policy in the same fashion across the province of Nova Scotia.
This coverage will apply to you if you have been injured, whether you were at fault for the accident or not. It applies to:
- The driver and any passengers in the insured vehicle
- Pedestrians who are injured by an insured vehicle
The most commonly accessed benefits include:
- Up to $250.00 per week in income loss
- Up to $50,000.00 over a (usual) maximum period of 4 years, for medical expenses, treatments, and rehabilitation that are as a result of the injuries sustained from the motor vehicle accident.
Section C – Vehicle & Property Damage
This section covers damages done to your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This coverage under your motor vehicle insurance policy is entirely optional, meaning that an owner or driver of a motor vehicle does not need to have this coverage in order to meet the statutory legal minimum insurance coverage.
Section D – Injured by Unidentified or Uninsured Driver
Section D of the Insurance Act covers the situations where you are involved in an accident, and the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance or can’t be identified. This situation doesn’t arise often, but if it does, you can access Section D of your own vehicle’s policy. In this way, your policy is there to cover the claims that would have otherwise been paid for by the at-fault party’s insurance.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Halifax, NS
Generally speaking, anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to receive benefits to help cover their costs of treatment. If you were injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident and want to file a claim, contact us to set up a free, no-obligation consultation at our Halifax office or any of our three locations.
If your injuries prevent you from coming to us, then don’t worry, our lawyers would be happy to come to you!
Further Reading About Car Accidents in Nova Scotia
- July 16, 2020If you are injured in a car accident in Halifax, it is important to know that there is something called the Minor Injury Cap in Nova Scotia, which can affect the amount of compensation you are able to receive for pain and suffering related to certain …
- July 10, 2020If you are involved in a car accident in Nova Scotia and suffer injuries because of another driver’s careless or reckless driving, you should be able to expect compensation through an insurance claim or a car accident lawsuit. When you are filing an …
- July 1, 2020When you are injured in a car crash or truck accident in Halifax or elsewhere in Nova Scotia, you might immediately begin thinking about how you can hold the responsible driver accountable. Does Nova Scotia have No-Fault Insurance? Nova Scotia uses a …
- June 24, 2020When a car accident or pedestrian collision results in serious injuries in Halifax or elsewhere in Nova Scotia, it is important to know who is at fault for the crash. When pedestrians and motorists encounter sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks, drivers …
- October 29, 2019What you see, what you don’t see, and why it’s important. When you’re in an accident, anything can happen. The aftermath of an accident can have widespread consequences on your functioning in everyday life. You may notice an acute onset of some symptoms …
- August 22, 2019https://youtu.be/gSFyBjlJ8tw Let’s face it – it’s dangerous out there. I mean the public highways. There are a lot of bad drivers. Some of them don’t know the rules of the road. Others just don’t seem to care. There are a …
- August 6, 2019Nova Scotia has an insurance act. This statute, passed by the provincial legislature, mandates the various coverages and types of insurance that apply to Nova Scotians. One area of the statute deals with motor vehicle policies. So, if you have …
- August 1, 2019https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N48gJiyz4MQ There’s no way of predicting what injuries you will sustain in an accidents. We have situations with high speed, head-on accidents, horrific accidents with a lot of damage to vehicles and people walk away …
- July 15, 20199 Questions Nova Scotia Injury & Insurance Claim Clients Ask Below is a list of some of the more common questions that are asked by our clients. Do I Have a Claim? If you have suffered a physical injury or incurred a financial loss that is the fault …
- June 5, 201912 Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Nova Scotia Car accidents happen everyday, but we rarely expect them to happen to us. In the winter months when road conditions are less than optimal, the risk of accidents increases substantially. In summer …