Hawaii is a preferred international tourist attraction due to its beautiful islands and rolling seas. This makes for very busy roadways, with residents and visitors sharing the hustle and bustle of daily activities. Car accidents sometimes taint the scenery, especially when someone is injured or killed due to another person’s negligence.
A 22-year-old motorist was heading southbound on a Maui roadway just before 6 a.m. on a recent Tuesday morning when tragedy struck. Police are currently investigating the incident in order to assess whether alcohol, speed or drug-use were determining factors in the accident. At an intersection in the road, the driver apparently hit a pedestrian who was navigating his way across the street in a marked crosswalk.
Sadly, the victim, an 81-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not hurt in the collision. This was reported as the 21st traffic fatality in the state in 2015.
Car accidents are not always preventable, but when caused by negligence, those injured or families of those who have died often experience frustration and want some measure of justice. Hawaiian law allows an immediate surviving family member of a fatal accident victim to pursue legal action in court on behalf of a deceased loved one. By contacting a personal injury lawyer, a family member considering filing a claim would be able seek answers to any questions and obtain guidance and support in order to navigate the legal system. An attorney can act as a personal advocate, seeking compensation for damages sustained and allowing the family to focus on healing and recovery.
Source: hawaiinewsnow.com, “Kahului man, 81, dies in pedestrian accident on Maui“, Nov. 3, 2015