A car accident can be a life-altering experience, especially if you get injured during the collision. In 2022, Nova Scotia reported over 70,000 motor vehicle accidents. In addition to the cost of vehicle repairs, victims may incur medical expenses, treatment costs, and lost wages as a result of their injuries.
When you are recovering from a car crash, the last thing you want to do is deal with insurance companies and the claims process. However, motor vehicle laws and insurance regulations in Nova Scotia require you to submit a claim within a certain period of time to receive compensation. Even if you think you are at fault for the accident, you may still be eligible to receive benefits through your insurance provider under Nova Scotia’s no-fault car insurance system.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Nova Scotia, don’t hesitate to contact our Halifax car accident lawyers at Valent Legal as soon as possible. We understand limitation periods that apply to car accident claims and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve promptly. Contact our team to schedule a consultation today.
How Does Your Insurance Company Assess Fault?
After you report an accident to your insurance company, an adjuster is assigned to your claim to investigate the circumstances of the accident. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, accurate fault determination is crucial as it can directly impact the premiums and coverage adjustments for each party involved.
Your insurance provider will determine the degree of fault to be assigned to each driver based on the rules set out by the Automobile Insurance Fault Determination Regulations. These rules are used to assess the property damage coverages and to ensure the premiums of the driver who was more than 25 percent at-fault are appropriately adjusted.
You may be tempted to delay filing a claim until you know the extent of damages to your vehicle, what the cost of your medical expenses will be, or how your employment will be impacted. However, it is important to be aware of the time limit to report a car accident, known in law as “limitation periods”, that dictate how long you have to file a claim before you are no longer entitled to benefits or legal action.
When Does a Limitation Period Start?
A limitation period typically begins on the date you have been injured, often referred to as “at the time of loss”. However, limitation periods can fluctuate and are subject to exceptions.
Two-Year Limitation Period
The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit are set by legislation. For injury claims in Nova Scotia, there is a two-year limitation period from the date the accident occurred. Recent amendments to the Limitations Act in 2023 have clarified certain exceptions, such as cases involving minors or individuals with disabilities. This can potentially extend the limitation period under specific circumstances.
There are also additional circumstances in which the two-year deadline can be extended. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident that resulted in an injury that does not immediately manifest itself. In that case, the limitation period does not start until you discover (or reasonably should discover) that you are injured.
Ultimate Fifteen-Year Limitation Period
The Limitations Act prevents someone from filing a claim any later than 15 years after the day the car accident occurred. Even if you discover your injury and identify that it was caused by the car accident that took place more than 15 years ago, you are barred from taking legal action to pursue financial compensation. This ultimate limitation period is meant to ensure that claims are filed within a reasonable timeframe, preserving the integrity of evidence and the fairness of the legal process.
What is the Discoverability Rule?
In many Canadian provinces, the limitation periods are often subject to a “Discoverability Rule”. The discoverability rule is applied when some people do not have the time, have the capacity, or lacked the ability to sue by the limitation dates set by legislation. Since the limitation period starts from the time an injury is discovered, it can difficult for people to know if they have gone past their limitation period and lost the right to sue.
The exact time a limitation period starts becomes more difficult if the injured is unconscious, a child, on mind-altering pain killers, under some other mental disability, or suffering from circumstances that limit their capacity to sue within the two-year limitation period for car accidents in Nova Scotia, Canada. An important note to make is if a legal issue has not been discovered for many years, the “ultimate limitation period” may apply. To know if the discoverability applies in your case, contact our car accident lawyers to review your claim.
When Should I Start Filing My Claim?
A good rule of thumb is to initiate the claims process as soon as possible following a car accident. Timely filing ensures that all necessary evidence is preserved and that your memory of the incident is fresh, which can be critical in establishing fault and the extent of your damages.
That said, you may have more pressing concerns to take care of, or your injuries may prevent you from filing a claim right away. You do have some flexibility for when you are required to start filing your claim. There is a time limit to report a car accident claim with your insurance provider, in addition to the time limitation period to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The amount of time you have to file an auto claim with an insurance company will depend on your policy. Typically, you must inform your insurance company within seven days of when the car accident occurred. According to the Nova Scotia Insurance Act, failing to notify your insurer within this timeframe can result in denial of your claim, regardless of who was at fault.
You must also file an accident benefits claim within 30 days of the accident. If your claim for accident benefits is denied, you have two years to take action against the insurance company. If you intend to sue the other driver, you must provide written notice of your intent within 120 days of the accident. You then have up to two years to pursue legal action.
Notice of Intended Action
In some cases, the law requires individuals to provide formal notice to potential Defendants before one can lawfully file a lawsuit. This is often referred to as a “notice of intended action.” While every law firm will have a slightly different version of this type of notice letter, most should include similar elements, such as identifying the injured person, some material facts relating to the allegations of the injury, and specifying what the Defendant is being sued for.
Limitation periods for sending a notice of intended action can differ depending on who caused the injury. For example, if you are suing a physician, surgeon, engineer, dentist, or other regulated professional, the limitation period in some provinces can be one year from the date of the accident. Time limitations for notice letters are set by various pieces of legislation, making it difficult to determine if you are within your legal rights to sue.
Limitation periods can also vary depending on whether or not you are suing a government agent. For example, in Nova Scotia, the Proceedings against the Crown Act requires that the Provincial Agent be given a minimum of 60 days’ notice before you file your lawsuit. Similarly, if you are suing a Municipal Agent, the Municipal Government Act requires that you provide the municipality with at least 30 days’ notice before you file your lawsuit. There is no notice requirement for bringing a claim against the Federal Government in Nova Scotia.
These various requirements make it all the more important for you to speak with a personal injury lawyer to ensure that you do not miss any limitation period due for sending a notice of intended action.
What Benefits Am I Entitled to Under My Insurance Policy?
While the details in auto insurance policies vary between providers and the province you live in, there is a standard form auto insurance policy in Nova Scotia outlined in the Nova Scotia Insurance Act. Understanding the standard form’s main four sections will help make car accident claims more straightforward when dealing with your insurance company.
Section A: Third Party Liability
This section provides coverage for anyone who is hurt or any damages caused by you, or anyone driving your car with your permission. The minimum coverage required by law is $500,000. Higher coverage limits are recommended to protect against significant liabilities that can arise from severe accidents.
Section B – Accident Benefits
The No-Fault benefits under Section B are paid to you regardless of who is considered at-fault for the accident. This section provides coverage for the policyholder, the driver and any passengers in the insured vehicle (including passengers in an insured rideshare vehicle), pedestrians who are hit by the insured vehicle, as well as dependents and family members who were occupants of other vehicles. These accident benefits include coverage for medical expenses, loss of income, housekeeping expenses, funeral expenses, and death benefits. Proposed updates in 2022 expanded the scope of covered medical treatments to include more comprehensive rehabilitation services and mental health support.
Section C – Property Damage Coverage
This section of the policy outlines the amount of coverage your insurance company will provide to cover the costs of repairs to the insured vehicle. Coverage is not mandatory under Section C. Most insurance companies require a damage deposit paid by the policyholder before any payments are made. It’s advisable that you review the specific terms of your policy with a legal professional to understand any exclusions or limits that may apply to property damage claims.
Section D – Uninsured Driver Coverage
Under the standard form auto policy, Section D outlines that your insurance policy will pay your claim if you suffer a loss or injury as a result of an uninsured driver (a driver that does not have insurance) or an unidentified driver (a hit and run, for example). Section D only takes effect if no claim can be made against another driver’s third-party liability policy or if the accident happens outside of Nova Scotia.
Contact a Halifax Car Accident Lawyer
Our dedicated car accident lawyers at Valent Legal understand the devastating impact a car accident injury can have on your physical and emotional state. With years of experience in personal injury law, our team is equipped to handle even the most complex claims. Our lawyers can manage your claim for you, negotiate on your behalf, gather evidence, and represent your best interests in court to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
The insurance regulations and motor vehicle laws in Nova Scotia are complicated. Pursuing financial compensation on your own could result in a significant financial loss. Contact our Halifax car accident lawyers today so you can begin to recover and reclaim your life.
