Car Accident Lawyer for Kentville & Wolfville

Resolving Disputes and Claims Surrounding Car Accidents

The days and weeks after a car accident can be challenging to deal with. There’s paperwork to fill out, insurance companies to notify, and medical appointments to take care of, all while you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Partnering with a personal injury law firm like McKiggan Hebert Lawyers can help you navigate this process and ensure you’re aware of your rights and legal options if you want to pursue a fault-based claim. Call 902-706-2298 to speak to a member of our team and schedule a free consultation.

Who Is Responsible for Your Damages After an Accident?

When someone is injured in a motor vehicle accident, the person responsible for the victim’s damages is the at-fault party. However, determining fault isn’t always easy, especially if multiple drivers were involved. It can require considerable investigation, and even accident reconstruction techniques, to determine who made the first mistake that set off the chain reaction.

It’s also possible for multiple parties to share fault. For example, if one driver veered out of their lane but the other driver was texting and failed to notice in time to respond, they could both share in the fault. Working with a lawyer can be especially beneficial in these situations, as there are often disputes about the shared percentage of fault and how that may affect a fault-based claim.

If you have questions about who could be held liable for your injuries and damages after a car accident, call our firm to talk to a lawyer. We can help you understand who you may have a claim against and what you’ll need to prove your case.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim?

Many people automatically assume that personal injury cases are only for serious accidents where someone suffered life-changing injuries or was killed. While it’s true that these situations could result in personal injury claims, you don’t have to be permanently incapacitated to be able to receive compensation.

If you were injured and suffered pain and suffering or losses because of another person’s negligence, you could have grounds for a personal injury claim. The value of that claim will depend heavily on the severity of your injuries, how they are expected to impact your abilities and quality of life in the future, and whether it’s a shared fault situation.

When you set up a consultation with our firm, we’ll review your case to determine if your situation meets the criteria for a fault-based claim. If so, we can start identifying and gathering evidence to support your case, and reviewing your medical records to determine how much your claim may be worth.

What Factors Can Affect How Long Your Car Accident Claim Takes to Resolve?

Every case is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all timeline for car accident claims. It can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to resolve your claim, and how long the process takes is influenced by several factors:

• The severity of your injuries: The more serious your injuries are, the longer it can take to get a full understanding of the long-term impact on your physical and mental health, as well as your financial losses and potential earning capacity. In some cases, it could take several months before doctors can give a clear projection of your recovery and what that may look like.
• How clear it is who is at fault: Accident scenes can be complex, and it’s not always immediately apparent what happened or who was at fault. When liability is disputed, it can take longer to negotiate a settlement and may require litigation.
• The willingness of both parties to settle: The insurance company plays a significant role in how long a car accident claim takes to resolve. Insurance companies that proactively communicate, respond quickly, and are willing to negotiate can speed up the process.
• Whether litigation is required: Settling a case out of court is generally much faster than taking it to trial. The litigation process is lengthy, starting with discovery and then pretrial motions before the case even actually gets in front of a judge or jury. If the insurance company isn’t willing to settle, a lawyer can explain what the timeline for a trial may look like.

While no one wants to draw out a personal injury claim, settling early isn’t always in your best interests. These initial offers from the insurance company often don’t reflect the full extent of your losses and may not factor in things like future medical needs or lost earning capacity. Working with a lawyer can help you balance keeping your claim moving with ensuring you receive fair compensation for your damages.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Get a Fair Settlement From the Insurance Company?

Insurance companies are focused on one thing: minimizing their payouts. They are not on your side, and they are not concerned with your rights or what’s fair. Obtaining a settlement that reflects the fair value of your claim often comes down to how much evidence you have and how well prepared your case is. That’s where our lawyers come in.

We know how to organize and present evidence like medical records and expert opinions to illustrate the full extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on the rest of your life. Our lawyers are also skilled negotiators, which means they know what strategies work when trying to agree on a settlement and when it’s time to take the case to court.

Learn more about what sets McKiggan Hebert Lawyers apart when you call 902-706-2298 for a case review.