Auto Accident Injury in Honolulu, HI

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Honolulu? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Honolulu, HI that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Honolulu, Hawaii

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

Hawaii has some of the lowest rates of fatal or serious car crashes of all the states in the nation. However, it also happens to have some of the fewest vehicle miles traveled, at 10,887 million miles. In 2018, there 110 fatal crashes and a total of 117 car accident-related deaths. The state’s deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled rate is 1.07, which is significantly higher than states with larger driving populations. More than a quarter of the total drivers killed in car crashes in 2018 were either the passengers of an intoxicated driver or intoxicated drivers themselves.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Per the Honolulu Police Department, you should only call 911 if the car crash incident is an emergency and requires the presence of a trained police officer. While the website does not define an emergency, Hawaii statute section 287-4 states that individuals must report any incident that results in $3,000 worth of property damage and/or death to the local police department within 24 hours.

When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The economic loss from motor vehicle accidents in Hawaii in 2013 was $149 million. Approximately $1 million went to medical costs, while the remaining $148 million entailed work loss costs. Motor vehicle occupants were responsible for approximately 12% of costs, pedestrians for 22%, and bicyclists for 3%. Motorcyclists were the most expensive group of road users, accounting for approximately 28% of crash-related deaths.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Hawaii

Liability Laws for Honolulu

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Hawaii is one of the few no-fault states remaining. In a no-fault state, drivers’ own auto insurance companies are responsible for covering the cost of accident-related damages regardless of who was at fault. No driver may sue another for compensation unless serious injuries are involved.

Statute of Limitations in Honolulu

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years. If your damages exceed your insurance coverage limits, you may wish to file a personal injury claim. If this is the case, you have two years from the date of the incident to do so.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Honolulu, HI

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Hawaii!