HALIFAX Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Being hit by a drunk driver is one of the most frustrating and preventable tragedies a person can experience. These collisions happen in seconds yet leave victims dealing with painful injuries, mounting expenses, and a claims process that feels stacked against them. When impaired driving is involved, fault is often clearer, but that doesn’t mean insurers make the process any easier.
That’s why having knowledgeable legal support early on can make a meaningful difference in how your claim moves forward. Valent Legal’s Halifax drunk driving accident lawyers are here to guide you through every step of your claim with compassion and experience.
For a free case evaluation, call (902) 443-4488, or reach us anytime through our online contact form.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Makes Drunk Driving Injury Claims Different?
- Why Choose Valent Legal for Your Drunk Driving Accident?
- Drunk Driving Laws in Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Liquor Control Act
- What Compensation Can You Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident?
- Why File a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawsuit?
- How Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Helps With Your Case
- Potentially Liable Parties in a Drunk Driving Accident
- Steps to Take if You’ve Been a Victim of a Drunk Driver
- Contact a Halifax Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
- Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
What Makes Drunk Driving Injury Claims Different?
Drunk driving accidents are handled differently from standard motor vehicle collisions. These cases involve higher stakes, more complex evidence, and additional legal considerations.
- Greater damages due to reckless behaviour: Impaired driving is typically considered gross negligence, which could increase available compensation.
- Access to specialized evidence: Drunk driving accident lawyers can use blood alcohol concentration test results, toxicology reports, officer field sobriety test observations, and dash-cam or body-cam footage that is not always relevant in typical accidents.
- Proof of impairment and fault: Expert witnesses and crash reconstruction may be necessary to establish a connection between impairment and the collision.
- Multiple responsible parties: Bars, restaurants, employers, and social hosts may share liability under Nova Scotia law, which can increase available compensation.
With an experienced impaired driving lawyer by your side, you can file a strong, evidence-based claim and pursue the full compensation you are entitled to.
Why Choose Valent Legal for Your Drunk Driving Accident?
Valent Legal is an award-winning personal injury law firm serving communities throughout Atlantic Canada. Our team of drunk driving accident lawyers brings decades of combined legal experience and courtroom advocacy. We are committed to compassionate, down-to-earth client service and helping injured accident victims reach comprehensive resolutions. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, we’re here to guide you, support you, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Prestigious recognition and honors our firm has earned include the following:
- An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- A Firm Award in 2025 and 2026 from Best Lawyers
- Ranked by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in Canada in 2026
- Top Personal Injury Boutique Firm for 2025 by Canadian Lawyer
- Consumer Choice Award for Personal Injury Law Firm for seven consecutive years
- Lexpert Ranked in 2021 and 2025
- ThreeBestRated’s Personal Injury Lawyers award in Halifax for 2025
Community involvement is central to who we are. We advocate for real, lasting change through our work in the courtroom and our commitment to the people and neighborhoods we call home. Our ongoing involvement includes partnerships and initiatives such as:
- Lids4Kids, our helmet safety nonprofit protecting children across Atlantic Canada
- Partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division, to promote mental health awareness initiatives
- Partnership with Elizabeth Fry Society to provide aid for vulnerable women and girls harmed by child welfare systems
- Partnership with Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank to provide essentials for local families in need
Our client-first approach has garnered praise from those we have represented, like the following:
Drunk Driving Laws in Nova Scotia
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, driving while intoxicated to any degree by alcohol, drugs, or both is a criminal offence. The penalties for the offence will depend on the level of intoxication, whether it’s the driver’s first offence, whether anyone was injured or killed because of the driver’s actions, and other factors.
The legal limit for alcohol consumption in Canada is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, or 0.08 percent. If you’re driving and your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is found to be at or above this limit, you will be automatically arrested and charged.
However, it’s important to note that this is a separate offence on top of the basic impaired driving charge. If you drive and are found to be below the legal limit of 0.08 percent, you can still be charged with impaired driving if a police officer finds that drinking has compromised your ability to drive.
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in Nova Scotia
The penalties for impaired driving show how seriously these offences are treated in Nova Scotia and why they play such a major role in your claim.
Standard Impaired Driving Penalties - No Injury or Death
- First offence: Penalties include a minimum fine of $1,000, a one-year licence suspension, and mandatory participation in an Addiction or Drug Dependency Services assessment program, along with reinstatement fees and possible retesting before driving privileges are restored.
- Second offence within 10 years: Penalties include a minimum 14-day jail term, a three-year licence suspension, mandatory completion of addiction programming, reinstatement fees, and full written, road, and vision testing.
- Third offence within 10 years: Penalties include a minimum 90-day jail term, an indefinite licence suspension—with a minimum 10-year waiting period before consideration of reinstatement—mandatory addiction programming, and full retesting requirements.
- Fourth offence: Offenders receive a permanent licence revocation in addition to the penalties outlined in the Criminal Code.
Penalties When Impaired Driving Causes Injury or Death
- The impaired driver injures someone: Penalties include imprisonment for up to 14 years.
- The impaired driver kills someone: Penalties include life imprisonment.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: Families may pursue civil compensation with support from a wrongful death lawyer.
Penalties for Refusing a Breath or Blood Sample
- First refusal: Penalties include a minimum $2,000 fine and an automatic one-year licence suspension.
- Second refusal: Penalties include a minimum 30-day jail term, as well as additional punishments under the Criminal Code.
Additional DUI Penalties in Nova Scotia
- A child under 16 in the vehicle: Penalties include a criminal record, a two-year license suspension, a minimum $1,000 fine, mandatory addiction treatment, and potential enrollment in an ignition-interlock program.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights. Valent Legal is here to guide you through the process and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Nova Scotia Liquor Control Act
While the primary responsibility for any DUI accident lies with the impaired driver, they are not the only ones who could be held liable for a drunk driving crash. Bars, clubs, and other places where alcohol is served may also have a responsibility to make sure their patrons don’t overindulge, thereby putting themselves and others in danger.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Control Act holds establishments accountable for reckless actions involving over-serving alcohol. According to these laws, it’s illegal for liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants, and other establishments to sell alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated. It’s also unlawful for these businesses to give or sell alcohol to minors, sell alcohol after hours, or sell alcohol without the proper licences. Finally, individual residents can also sometimes be liable if they serve alcohol at a party to someone who is already intoxicated.
What Compensation Can You Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident?
When an impaired driver causes a collision, victims may be eligible for economic, non-economic, and, in severe cases, punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These cover financial losses, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription medications, reduced earning capacity, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the more subjective physical nd emotional impacts of the crash. These may include pain and suffering, emotional distress or trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and any long-term limitations that affect your daily functioning.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in cases involving extreme recklessness, such as very high BAC levels, excessive speeding, or prior impaired driving convictions. Unlike other damages, these awards are designed to punish the impaired driver and discourage similar behaviour in the future.
Why File a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawsuit?
If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident and the impaired driver is already facing criminal charges, you may wonder why you should file a lawsuit against them. The main reason to file a civil lawsuit is to help make you financially whole after the losses you sustained in the crash.
While criminal charges may help deter future impaired drivers and hold them accountable for their actions, sending a drunk driver to jail won’t make up for the physical, emotional, and financial injuries you’ve incurred.
By filing a lawsuit, you can seek compensation for these losses, making it easier to close the book on this difficult chapter in your life. Furthermore, a civil lawsuit allows car accident victims to pursue compensation from multiple parties at fault for a crash. For example, a bar can be held partly liable for a drunk driving accident under the Nova Scotia Liquor Control Act if it served the driver when they were already intoxicated.
Keep in mind that criminal matters and civil matters involving drunk driving are completely separate.
How Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Helps With Your Case
At Valent Legal, our drunk driving accident lawyers take on the legal burden so you can focus on healing. We handle every part of your claim, including:
- Investigating impairment levels: We gather BAC results, police records, roadside testing, and witness statements.
- Working with reconstruction experts: When necessary, we collaborate with specialists who can demonstrate how the impairment caused the crash.
- Calculating full damages: We assess medical needs, lost wages, long-term recovery costs, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.
- Handling insurance negotiations: We protect you from low settlement tactics and explain why insurance matters at every stage of your claim.
- Preparing your case for trial: If insurers refuse to negotiate fairly, we will be ready to take your case to court.
With Valent Legal, you are never navigating the system alone, and you are shielded from being underestimated or taken advantage of by insurers.
Potentially Liable Parties in a Drunk Driving Accident
Impaired driving crashes often involve more than one responsible party. Liability depends on who contributed to the intoxicated driver’s ability to operate the vehicle and how the collision occurred.
- The impaired driver: Their actions are the primary basis for liability.
- Vehicle owners: They may be liable if they have allowed an impaired or unlicensed person to drive their vehicle.
- Employers of impaired drivers: They can be held responsible when an employee causes a crash while performing work duties.
- Bars, restaurants, and social hosts: They may face liability under the Liquor Control Act if they overserved a visibly intoxicated guest who later drove. This often occurs when drunk patrons leave restaurants, bars, or holiday parties and cause accidents.
Each scenario requires a thorough investigation to understand what happened, identify available insurance coverage, and determine the best course of action for fair compensation.
Steps to Take if You’ve Been a Victim of a Drunk Driver
If you were hit by an impaired driver, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Call 911 immediately: Police reports and roadside testing can provide essential evidence.
- Seek immediate medical care: Even minor injuries should be evaluated and documented.
- Document the scene: Collect photos, videos, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- Gather witness information: Get names, contact details, and statements if possible.
- Notify your insurer: Report the accident promptly to avoid coverage issues.
- Speak with a DUI accident lawyer: Get legal advice before providing statements or accepting any offers.
Contact a Halifax Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
At Valent Legal, our drunk driving accident lawyers have spent many years helping victims and families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. These incidents are entirely preventable, and you should not have to navigate the legal process alone. Our team is here to support you, answer your questions, and help you rebuild in any way we can.
As you consider your next steps, it’s important to act promptly. Nova Scotia’s two-year limitation period makes early action essential for protecting your rights and preserving evidence. Early legal guidance also helps strengthen your claim by preserving evidence and protecting your rights from the start.
Contact Valent Legal today at (902) 443-4488 or through our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.
Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
How Long Does a Typical Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit Take in Nova Scotia?
Most claims take several months to over a year, depending on the severity of the injuries and the insurer’s level of cooperation. Cases that require litigation or involve complex evidence may take longer to resolve.
What Specific Evidence Should I Collect Immediately After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Photos or videos, witness details, police reports, medical records, and any officer notes about suspected impairment.
What Happens if the Drunk Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
You may still recover compensation through Section B benefits and potentially other insurance sources. A drunk driving accident lawyer can identify every available option so you are not left paying for someone else’s negligence.
Can I Still Pursue a Civil Lawsuit if the Drunk Driver Is Acquitted of Criminal Charges?
Yes. Civil and criminal cases are completely separate, and civil lawsuits rely on a lower burden of proof. Thus, you can still recover damages even if the driver is not convicted on criminal charges.