Personal Injury Lawyer in Dartmouth

Helping You Understand Your Legal Options After a Personal Injury

The basic concept of personal injury law is easy to understand. If someone’s actions or negligence cause losses for you, they should be held liable for covering those costs. However, whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident or the outcome of medical malpractice, personal injury cases are more complicated than you may wish.

The personal injury team at McKiggan Hebert Lawyers can walk you through your legal options, helping you understand the merits of your case and what you should do next. Contact us at 902-706-2298 to schedule a free consultation.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Are Common in Dartmouth?

The personal injury legal process in Nova Scotia supports a wide range of case types. Common reasons to contact a personal injury law firm include:

Car and truck accidents: Highway 111 and other busy commuter corridors lead to traffic volumes that make motor vehicle accidents common in the area. When another person’s negligence on the roadway leads to an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for related damages.
Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle riders are especially prone to injuries in motor vehicle collisions. When another driver is at fault, a motorcyclist may be able to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other damages.
Bike and pedestrian accidents: You don’t have to be in a motorized vehicle to be an injury victim on the road. Pedestrians and bike riders who are hit by a vehicle may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other relevant costs if the vehicle driver is deemed at fault.
Slip-and-fall and other premises liability incidents: Fall accidents are some of the most common accidents on Dartmouth premises, but you might also be able to obtain compensation if you’re injured due to items falling on you or other accidents. Premises liability cases typically require the property owner to be negligent in the incident.
Boating and recreational accidents: Dartmouth’s location near the Halifax Harbour and its many lakes and recreational areas lead to a broad range of boating and ATV accidents. If another party is liable for an accident, you may be able to recover medical costs and other damages.
Medical malpractice: Serious injuries related to healthcare provider errors or negligence can support a medical malpractice claim.

What Steps Should You Take After an Accident or Injury in Dartmouth?

No one leaves their home planning to be in an accident or to experience an injury. However, knowing what to do immediately as an accident victim can help support a successful outcome if you ever do have to file a personal injury claim.

Every case is different, and every potential injured client should rely on their own common sense. However, some important steps to take after an accident or injury include:

Seeking medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, getting evaluated immediately following an accident can help you protect your health and any personal injury case you might have. Gaps in medical care can lead to questions that hurt your case later.
Reporting the incident: Depending on the type of accident or injury, you may need to call law enforcement, file an accident report, notify property owners, or follow an organization’s procedures for incident reports.
Gathering documentation and witness information: If possible, take photographs of the accident scene or evidence, including your injuries. Videos taken with your smartphone can also be a good idea, if it’s safe to get them. Keep a copy of any information provided to you on paper, and consider getting the names and contact information for anyone who may have seen a motor vehicle accident or other incident.
Keeping records of your expenses and losses: Potential personal injury clients should keep copies of medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other damages. Your personal injury law firm may use this evidence later to make a case for how much compensation is due to you.
Taking care with what you say: Avoid any type of comment that might indicate that you agree you were at fault in an incident, even if it’s only a polite statement or apology. It’s also a good idea to avoid signing anything, as you may inadvertently reduce your chances of a favourable outcome.
Contacting a Dartmouth personal injury lawyer: As soon as you can, reach out to a personal injury lawyer about your case.

How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work in Nova Scotia?

With personal injury cases like car accidents or slip-and-fall accidents, the burden of proof is on the person bringing the claim. That means you have to show that it’s more likely than not that someone else was negligent in the accident. On top of demonstrating fault, your legal team must also show that you experienced real injury or damages and that they’re caused by the incident in question.

To do this, your personal injury team gathers evidence, including medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony. They may also get access to video and photographic evidence. Using all this information, your personal injury lawyers put together a narrative of what happened in an attempt to show who was at fault and how much compensation may be owed to you.

Throughout this process, personal injury lawyers negotiate with insurance companies and other lawyers. They may work on your behalf to settle a case outside of court or recommend that you take a case to court. Every personal injury law situation is unique, and the outcome of your case and how you arrive at it will depend on the facts of the case.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Nova Scotia?

Under Nova Scotia’s Limitation of Actions Act, you typically have two years to file a personal injury law claim. Claims municipal governments must be filed with the court within one year. A personal injury lawyer can advise what limitation period applies in your case. Since all cases are unique, and different factors can impact how long you have to file your case, you should speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an incident.

When Is It Time to Contact a Dartmouth Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you’re dealing with an injury and believe it’s the fault of another party, consider scheduling a free consultation with a personal injury law team today. Because there’s a clock on your case, getting an initial consultation sooner rather than later can support a better chance at a satisfactory outcome. Contact McKiggan Hebert Lawyers by calling 902-706-2298 to schedule an appointment.