Being hurt in a car accident is a frightening and stressful event. In the aftermath, it is common to have many questions, such as how you’ll pay for your medical bills, how you’ll replace your lost pay, and how much your case might be worth. That’s why the experienced car accident injury lawyers at Valent Legal are here to help.
At Valent Legal, we understand that each case is unique. As demonstrated by testimonials from some of our past clients, our compassionate auto collision lawyers will take the time to get to know you, so we can give you the tools to make the best possible decisions for your personal circumstances.
We’re available to review your case for free, help you understand your legal options, fight to help you get the results that matter, and answer any questions you might have about your case.
If you want to discuss the compensation you may be owed for your injuries in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island, contact our car accident injury lawyers right away.
Call or text Valent Legal today, or chat with us online to schedule your free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation.
What Are the After-Effects of a Car Accident?
Car accident injuries can have long-term physical, emotional, and financial effects on the people involved. While some minor physical injuries from motor vehicle wrecks may heal without treatment, many injuries can leave victims with permanent scars and lifelong conditions.
In some of the worst cases, victims are killed, or they’re left paralyzed, unable to work, or forced to rely on full-time caregivers for the rest of their life. Even if a victim doesn’t suffer from obvious physical wounds, the accident might leave them with traumatic emotional scars. They might suffer from lifelong injuries like phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger, anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances related to the accident.
Many of these wounds can torture automobile crash victims for the rest of their life and leave them with crippling financial burdens like medical costs and lost income. This is why it’s essential for victims to fight for the full compensation they’re owed after they’re injured in a crash that was someone else’s fault.
Victims who only recover compensation for their outstanding bills and current expenses might discover they have no legal options available when they start experiencing additional complications years after their accident. According to legal limitation periods in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and many other provinces, victims typically have only two years from the date of their accident to file a car accident claim.
Although these timelines vary across provinces and some narrow exceptions exist, victims usually can’t recover any money for their injuries after this deadline passes – no matter who was to blame for the accident. These timeframes and the procedures for pursuing compensation are confusing and complicated for most people – especially for those in the midst of a crisis.
Resources for those experiencing PTSD and other effects of a car accident:
- Valent Legal Blog – “Car Accidents Can Cause Psychological Harms“
- “Incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After Road Traffic Accident” – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659351/
- “Who Pays for Health Care: Injuries from Motor Vehicle Accidents” – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/motorvehicle.aspx
What Injuries Qualify You for a Car Accident Injury Claim?
If you were seriously injured in a car wreck, you might qualify for a car accident injury claim.
Some of the most common automobile collision injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other kinds of head and brain damage
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, and other types of serious back injuries
- Paralysis
- Concussions
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Emotional distress
- Coma
- Internal bleeding and internal organ damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Hearing loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Collapsed lungs
- Burns
- Vision problems
- Muscle strains, torn ligaments, and joint damage
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Knee and elbow injuries
- Injuries to the hands, feet, arms, and legs
How Much Do You Get for Pain and Suffering in a Car Accident?
How much you can recover for pain and suffering after a car accident depends on the specifics of your injuries and where the accident occurred. In the case of minor injuries that don’t cause a long-term or severe impairment, such as strains, soft tissue injuries, and whiplash, many provinces in Canada limit the amount of compensation you can recover for non-monetary damages like pain and suffering.
In Nova Scotia, the cap for these damages from minor injuries is just under $9,000. The Finance and Treasury Board reviews this cap at the beginning of each year and typically increases it based on the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. Similarly, the limit in New Brunswick is around $8,300, and the limit in Prince Edward Island is just under $8,000. These caps are also adjusted annually.
However, there is no cap on the amount of compensation you can receive for pain and suffering if your injury severely impairs your ability to do your job, perform routine daily tasks, or continue your educational obligations. Examples of injuries that the courts typically consider “non-minor” include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, psychological trauma, and concussions.
The amount of money you can recover for pain and suffering related to serious injuries will depend on:
- the severity of your injuries
- current and future costs of treating your injuries
- your recovery time
- how the injuries impact your daily life
How Are Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident?
Nova Scotia is a no-fault province, which means that your insurance company typically provides coverage for your expenses and the expenses of any passengers in your vehicle. However, in order to get your insurer to pay for these expenses, you must notify them within 30 days of the accident and submit a “Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim” (NS-1) form to your insurer within 90 days of the accident.
This coverage, which people sometimes refer to as “Section B” coverage, pays for up to $50,000 in reasonable medical expenses stemming from your accident that you incur within four years of the accident, including:
- Physician services
- Ambulance transportation
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Dental work
- Professional nursing care
- Chiropractic therapies
- Other professional services or supplies that your doctor says are essential for evaluation or treatment of your injuries, such as physiotherapy, medication, psychological counseling, diagnostic tests, specialist visits, rehabilitation, or travel costs between appointments
However, if you are suffering from serious injuries after your accident, then $50,000 probably won’t be enough to cover your expenses. If you were injured in a car wreck that was someone else’s fault, then you might also be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation.
This is especially important if you are suffering from severe injuries and long-term conditions caused by the crash.
In a personal injury lawsuit, victims can also recover the other damages caused by the accident and their injuries, such as:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of ability to perform household services
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer if I Have Been in a Car Accident?
Anyone can afford a personal injury lawyer if they work with the right law firm. Some law groups charge excessive fees to even start investigating car accident cases, but top firms like Valent Legal work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay us anything unless we successfully help you recover money for your injuries.
At Valent Legal, we understand the traumatic physical, emotional, and financial impacts that victims face after serious car wrecks. That’s why we do all we can to support victims and help them achieve the best possible outcomes for their cases. We’re dedicated to helping victims across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick seek justice – no matter their ability to pay for upfront expenses.
Our compassionate car accident injury lawyers are nationally recognized for providing clients with top legal skills and exceptional customer service. We’re prepared to handle all aspects of your case – from investigating the accident and gathering evidence to negotiating on your behalf. All along the way, we’ll update you regularly on the progress of your case and give you the personalized attention you deserve.
If you are suffering after a serious auto accident caused by someone else’s recklessness or wrongdoing, you might be entitled to significant compensation. Valent Legal is here to help you pursue it.
Contact Valent Legal today to set up your free consultation with our skilled car accident lawyers. To get started on the road to recovery, call us or send us a text message right away or contact us online.
