Have you been injured in a motor vehicle accident on Oahu or a neighboring island? Did someone stop suddenly in front of you on the highway to look at something, causing a multi-car crash? Or did a distracted driver rear-end you causing you to crash into the vehicle ahead? Was a road construction project inadequately marked, leading you to take a nasty spill on your motorcycle? Were you simply in the wrong place at the wrong time while vacationing?
Traffic in Hawaii can be bad, whether you are downtown, commuting to or from work, heading to the North Shore to watch the surfers or just seeing the sights. Honolulu has been ranked as having some of the worst traffic among major American cities, making it a hazardous place for visitors to drive.
Sadly, automobile accidents are far too common in the Aloha State. If you have suffered an injury due to another’s negligence or mistake, seek the help of a Honolulu car accident lawyer.
SKILLED LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN HAWAII
Our accomplished, experienced lawyers at Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, a prominent personal injury law firm in Hawaii, have represented hundreds of victims of auto accidents throughout the state as well as in other parts of the world.
HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES RECOVER WHAT THEY HAVE LOST
At the Honolulu law offices of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, our lawyers have been helping accident victims recover compensation for what they have lost since 1973. As Hawaii’s premier personal injury law firm, we have represented hundreds of accident victims, guiding our clients to successful outcomes through the claims process, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial.
We can help you no matter whether you were a pedestrian or what type of vehicle you were in, including:
- Cars, limousines, SUVs and trucks;
- Public transportation and tour buses; and
- Motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, and scooters.
You may be entitled to compensation such as reimbursement of your medical bills and lost wages in addition to payment for continued medical care, disability, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
WHAT TYPES OF CAR ACCIDENTS CAN CRONIN, FRIED, SEKIYA, KEKINA & FAIRBANKS HANDLE?
Our accident attorneys handle auto accident cases involving catastrophic injuries, including head injury, spinal cord injury with resulting paralysis, amputation, loss of an eye or the death of a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
Car accidents can happen in various ways, each with its own set of risks and common causes. Here is a breakdown of some common types of car accidents:
- Rear-end collisions—often occur due to distracted driving, tailgating or sudden stops, causing one car to crash into the one in front of it. Drivers talking or texting on cellphones, or applying make-up while driving have become common sights;
- Rollover accidents—can be caused by sharp turns at high speeds or collisions that flip the vehicle, which are particularly common in taller vehicles like SUVs;
- Hit-and-run accidents—when a driver hits a pedestrian, cyclist, or another car and then leaves the scene without providing contact information or offering aid;
- T-bone accidents—these crashes typically happen at intersections when one vehicle strikes the side of another, often due to failing to yield or running a red light; and
- Side-impact crashes—similar to T-bone accidents, they can occur in parking lots and when cars are merging into traffic.
Regardless of the type of crash, accidents often come with lots of difficult questions about fault, insurance coverage, and bill payments. If you or someone you love is injured in a crash, it’s important to seek legal advice from a Honolulu car accident attorney who can help you understand your rights.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN HAWAII?
Hawaii follows a partial no-fault system when it comes to car insurance. This means that in most cases, your own insurance policy pays for your medical expenses and certain other losses after a crash—regardless of who’s at fault – while the other driver;’s insurance pays for injuries and property damage caused by the other driver’s fault.
The no-fault insurance system prioritizes the needs of injured drivers and passengers for medical care after a crash. Removing the question of fault or potential litigation helps everyone get financial support for medical costs without time-consuming debates about who caused the accident.
However, in some cases, fault isn’t entirely out of the picture. When an accident leads to serious, costly injuries or property damage, the at-fault driver can be held legally liable for those additional losses.
Under Hawaii law, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against a driver responsible for an accident that led to:
- Death,
- Severe and permanent injury,
- Serious and permanent disfigurement; or
- Injuries resulting in $5,000 or more in no-fault medical payments.
In these situations, accident victims can sue the party responsible for the economic and emotional losses they suffered. There are other situations, such as crashes involving criminal conduct, DUI, vehicle sales and repair, and more, when a lawsuit may be allowed. With the guidance of a Honolulu auto accident attorney, injured drivers can recover financial compensation for medical costs beyond what’s covered by their personal injury protection policy.
HOLDING NEGLIGENT DRIVERS RESPONSIBLE IN CAR ACCIDENTS
When a crash results in severe injury or death, determining fault is an essential step in getting justice for victims and their families.
At Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, identifying any and all sources of liability is a large part of what we do when we help motor vehicle accident victims. Responsible parties may include:
- Reckless drivers—someone who ran a red light or stop sign, changed lanes without signaling, failed to yield the right of way, or engaged in other careless behavior;
- Distracted drivers—drivers who drove inattentively while talking, texting on cell phones, or engaged in other unsafe actions on the road;
- Intoxicated drivers—including perpetrators of drunk driving and drugged driving;
- Bars, restaurants, and hotels—establishments that served or sold alcohol to patrons who were already intoxicated or underage;
- Businesses—with workers who drive as part of their work, or who provided alcohol at company events and failed to prevent drinking and driving by employees; and
- Insurers—companies liable for damages after a covered accident.
- Manufacturers, dealers and repair facilities— for vehicle defects or faulty repairs that cause injuries.
The legal team at Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks is experienced with complex car accident cases that often involve multiple victims and potential responsible parties. In many cases, we’ve gone through the trials and appeals process to win victory for our clients. As a result, we have effectively expanded the law in Hawaii to protect innocent people injured in auto accidents.
WHAT ARE COMMON INJURIES AFTER A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT?
Drivers and passengers can suffer many different types of harm in a car accident. Injury types and severity often depend on many factors, including the circumstances of the crash and the vehicles involved. Auto accidents in Hawaii often lead to injuries such as:
- Broken bones—especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis;
- Death;
- Amputation—including loss of limbs, fingers, toes, or hands;
- Head injuries—from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries—whiplash, back sprains, and herniated discs, paralysis; and
- Acute wounds—lacerations, burns, and abrasions.
However, despite how difficult and painful your injuries are, you do not have to face them on your own. You can get skilled, experienced legal help from a personal injury lawyer to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Unfortunately, it’s common for people to lose their lives in a motor vehicle crash. When this happens because of another person’s negligence, our Honolulu fatal car accident attorneys can also help the victim’s family seek compensation from the responsible party. If your loved one lost their life because of another driver’s recklessness, contact our office to speak with a legal advocate for wrongful death.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
There are several important things drivers can do to protect themselves after a car accident. Following these steps can make it much easier to file a claim and recover maximum compensation:
- Call the police. Other drivers may try to convince you to settle things without police involvement, but you need to call the police and have them come to the scene to document the incident. Insurance companies rely on police reports in deciding whether or not to pay your claim.
- Exchange information. Get contact and insurance information from the other driver(s). If there were any witnesses to the crash, get their names and contact information too. It is common for the other driver to change their story after speaking with their insurance company.
- Take pictures. Use your cell phone camera to get photos of the crash site, the damage to the cars, and any injuries you suffered. Try to take pictures from as many different angles as possible. Use video to record the other driver and witnesses to preserve evidence
- Seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, go see a doctor and have a thorough medical assessment. Some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, and delaying treatment can potentially hurt your claim for compensation.
- Consult experienced attorneys. After the accident, an insurer may contact you to offer a settlement but always consult with a lawyer before agreeing to anything. Insurers often try to settle claims as quickly and cheaply as possible, and you may be entitled to much more compensation than you realize.
The sooner you take these actions after an accident, the better your chance of success. The longer you wait, the more you risk losing important evidence and witnesses who can help your case.
UNDERSTANDING COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE IN HAWAII
In Hawaii, comparative negligence is a legal principle that comes into play when you may have also been partially at fault for an accident. Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by their percentage of your fault. For instance, if you were 30% at fault and your damages amount to $100,000, you would recover only 70% or $70,000 ($100,000 minus 30%).
Hawaii law also prevents drivers from recovering damages in certain situations. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence system, a plaintiff can recover damages only if their fault does not exceed 50%. If a driver is responsible for even 51% of a crash it does, they do not have the right to seek compensation – they do not recover 49% of their damages.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NO-FAULT INSURANCE IN HAWAII
No-fault insurance in Hawaii means that after a car accident, you will generally file a claim for medical expenses through your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. State law requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 per person in PIP insurance coverage for themselves and their passengers.
Hawaii drivers must also have at least $20,000 per person ($40,000 per accident) bodily injury liability coverage and $10,000 for property damage liability for incidents when they are at fault in a crash. These minimum limits will increase on January 1, 2026, to $40,000 per person ($80,000 per accident) for bodily injury; and $20,000 for property damage.
Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage ensures that injured parties receive prompt payment to cover medical costs up to the policy limit, limiting the need for litigation. However, it does not cover property damage or pain and suffering. For more severe injuries, Hawaii law allows for the pursuit of additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
SHOULD YOU ACCEPT A SETTLEMENT FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY?
Do not accept the first settlement offer from an insurance company without consulting a lawyer. Insurers want to settle claims quickly and economically. Many of them make offers that do not fully cover all of your current and future losses. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the fairness of the offer, negotiate with the insurance company, and protect your rights. They can also build a strong case to secure the compensation you deserve.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM IN HAWAII?
Under Hawaii law, you have two years from the date of the accident or date of the last PIP payment to file a claim for your injuries for most motor vehicle accidents. In legal terms, this is called a statute of limitations. Once this deadline passes, you may lose your legal right to seek compensation for the losses you suffered.
There are exceptions, however, so it is important to contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible to advise you on the statute of limitations applicable to your claim
For those with loved ones who died in a crash, there’s also a two-year deadline for filing a claim against the responsible party. In the case of wrongful death claims, the two-year clock starts on the day the victim passes away.
WHY HIRE A HAWAII CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY?
You have the right to file your own insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit – many people attempt to do so. However, you are up against immensely complex processes that involve numerous minute details. One incorrect step and you might have to start over – or you might lose your chance of recovering maximum compensation. That is why you need a legal guide with extensive experience.
Our law firm confidently and compassionately guides victims and their families through all the phases and stages of automobile accident cases, including:
- All stages of the claims process,
- Coordination of payment of medical expenses,
- Recovery of insurance benefits, and
- Prosecution of legal action against any party that contributed to the injury.
By working with an attorney from the beginning, you set yourself up for the best chance of success after a car wreck.
FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED HONOLULU CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER – CALL TODAY
If someone caused you or a loved one serious harm in an accident, meet with us at no cost – and there is no obligation to hire our firm – so that we may evaluate your claim and advise you of your options. Our Honolulu car accident lawyers handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing until we recover for you. We also offer free initial consultations.
Contact us online today. Your recovery is our No. 1 priority.