Personal Injury

Honolulu Personal Injury Lawyer

No matter how careful you are, no one is safe from accidents caused by others—or their potentially life-changing consequences.

When you’re hurt because of someone else’s reckless or negligent actions, you have the right to take legal action to hold them accountable. With the help of a Honolulu personal injury lawyer, innocent accident victims can recover full compensation for injury and harm caused by a catastrophic accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an accident, don’t choose just any law firm to help you with your recovery. Choose Hawaii’s premier personal injury law firm, Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks.

TRUSTED HONOLULU PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS SINCE 1973

From our downtown Honolulu offices, our attorneys have been providing skilled and compassionate legal services in collecting hundreds of millions of dollars for personal injury victims and surviving family members since 1973.

The types of claims we handle include:

• Auto and motor vehicle accidents;
• Medical malpractice and birth injuries;
• Wrongful death, brain damage, and spinal injuries;
• Defective products, devices, and medications;
• Maritime and ocean-related accidents and injuries;
• Injuries suffered while engaging in recreational activities on land or water; and
• Accidents involving island visitors.

Suffering an injury in an accident can be overwhelming. It is important to work with lawyers who will listen carefully to your concerns throughout the process, and who offer experienced and skilled legal counsel so that you can focus on your recovery.

For zealous, results-oriented guidance throughout the personal injury process, contact the Honolulu law firm of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks to schedule your free initial consultation. We can also help you explore alternative dispute resolution options, which can save you money, time, and the hassle of going to trial.

WHEN DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

Personal injury lawsuits are a way to hold someone else responsible for their negligent or careless behavior that harms you or a loved one. You can also be injured or damaged by defective products, unfair business practices, and deceptive insurance policies.

The ultimate goal of the personal injury process is: 

• Determining who is responsible for your injuries, and
• Ensuring that the party who injured you compensates you for the damages you suffered.

The cause of your injury is not always obvious.  Was it just the other driver’s fault? Or was poor road design or maintenance a contributing factor?  Was it just a mistake by the surgeon? Or did the hospital also fail to provide competent staff and proper procedures?

Many factors must be considered in determining whether you have a viable personal injury lawsuit. This requires the evaluation of skilled and experienced personal injury lawyers. Every case has a lawyer with more than 20 years of personal injury experience assigned to it.

When you’re reeling from the aftermath of an accident, it’s essential to seek the help of a personal injury attorney with extensive legal experience who can help you navigate the law with expertise and empathy. A lawyer well-versed in Hawaii law is the best person to assess your situation and determine if you have a legal claim.

If you have been injured in an accident and find yourself wondering if you have a case, contact the law firm of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Honolulu.

WHAT TYPES OF DAMAGES CAN YOU RECOVER IN A HAWAII PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUIT?

Damages is the name for the compensation available to plaintiffs in personal injury cases. The recoverable damages in a personal injury lawsuit address the wide variety of ways that an injury can impact your life. These are generally separated into two categories:

• Economic damages—direct expenses from your injury, including medical bills, property damage, and lost wages; and
• Non-economic damages—intangible losses that come from the aftermath of an accident, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. They are designed to punish the party responsible for your harm in addition to compensating you for your losses. Typically, these damages are only awarded in situations when the party at fault has intentionally harmed you or demonstrated extreme recklessness or egregious misconduct.  

CAN YOU STILL HAVE A PERSONAL INJURY CASE IF YOU WERE A VISITOR TO HAWAII?

Traveling outside your home state does not impact your ability to file a personal injury claim. You can still take legal action to hold negligent people and businesses responsible for the harm their actions caused.

Out-of-state visitors can benefit from the experience of a seasoned attorney with a deep understanding of local laws. A skilled Honolulu personal injury lawyer can provide clear communication and support, representing your interests in court proceedings or settlement negotiations, even after you return home.

WHAT EVIDENCE CAN HELP YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CASE?

Illustrating the full impact of an accident and proving liability often depend on evidence. Some of the evidence that can bolster your claim includes:

• Police reports;
• Records of your medical care, including medical bills;
• Photographs of your injuries, the scene of the accident and other damage;
• Statements from witnesses;
• Information about your income to illustrate the wages lost as a result of your injuries;
• Physical items damaged in the accident, including clothing or personal items; and
• Journals or statements from mental health professionals to demonstrate the emotional challenges you experience.

The evidence you collect can be important as you fight for full and fair compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in gathering this evidence and presenting it in a compelling way that makes your voice heard.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE FILING A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM IN HAWAII

Every state has its own laws governing personal injury cases. Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, it’s important to be aware of some of Hawaii’s legal regulations before you take action.

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Honolulu can help you understand how these policies can affect your accident claim. 

No-Fault Car Insurance

Hawaii is considered a no-fault state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. This means that you generally have to file a claim with your own insurance company to cover the initial cost of medical expenses even if the other driver was at fault.

Hawaii law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of medical insurance called “personal injury protection” or (PIP) to cover all occupants of the vehicle. This also means that by law, you ordinarily can’t sue another driver after a car accident unless it results in severe injury, death, or results in more than $5,000 in medical expenses.  

Liability insurance for the other driver will cover your injuries and damages after you meet the qualifications to file a lawsuit. Hawaii law requires a minimum of $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident for each vehicle.  Many vehicles have higher optional coverage. 

If your claims are worth more than the available liability insurance, you may be entitled to underinsured motorist benefits.  If there is no insurance for the other driver, then you may be entitled to uninsured motorist benefits. 

Both uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits are optional coverages that may be  applicable to you through your insurance or the insurance of other family members who live with you.

Damage to your vehicle or property may be processed through the other driver’s property damage liability coverage or your own collision coverage.  Hawaii law requires a minimum of $10,000 of property damage insurance. 

Modified Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence means that more than one person, including the injured plaintiff, involved in an accident can share some of the blame for the resulting damage.

Under this system, the compensation for the injured plaintiff is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff. And, since Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence system, if you are 51% or more of the fault, you’re barred from receiving any compensation.

Let’s look at an example of comparative negligence. Imagine Joe is driving drunk and hits Betty’s car while going through an intersection causing serious injury to Betty.

Most of the blame for the crash goes to Joe. However, suppose Betty was talking on her cell phone when hit. If a court assigns Betty 10% of the fault, she can now only recover 90% of her damages.

Statute of Limitations

Hawaii sets a deadline, or statute of limitations, on taking legal action after an accident. If you’re hurt because of another person’s negligence, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim against them.

Two years may seem like a long time—however, it’s best not to wait too long to consult with a legal professional about your claim. Your lawyer has a good deal of work to do on your case, and the earlier they get started, the better.  Some cases have different time limits so it is important to consult with a lawyer to determine the time limit for your case.

PAY NOTHING UNTIL WE RECOVER FOR YOU

At Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, all personal injury claims are handled on a contingency basis. This means you and your family will pay us nothing until we recover compensation for you.

We will listen carefully to your concerns and answer any questions you have throughout the entire personal injury process, which includes:

• Initial attorney meeting. Come prepared to discuss the details of the accident, the full extent of your injuries, and bring all letters, medical records, bills, insurance policy information, accident reports, and other documents. At this time, we can help you determine whether you have a potentially successful personal injury case.
• Insurance benefits. We will help you process medical and accident insurance claims, as well as coordinate communications with insurance companies.
• Complaints and motions. We will prepare and file any relevant legal documents with the court to make sure your case is argued thoroughly and effectively.
• Investigatory fact-finding and discovery. Our attorneys will carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to gather all relevant evidence. In some cases, accident experts and investigators assist in this process.
• Settlement prior to trial. Although our focus is on trial preparation, we also always explore all options and opportunities for settlement before trial.
• Trial, arbitration or mediation. Using our vast experience as skilled and successful trial, arbitration and mediation lawyers, we will persuasively present the evidence in your case to obtain a successful verdict or recovery for you.

Throughout the personal injury process, our lawyers will fight hard to protect your rights and obtain fair compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one.

HOW LONG WILL YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM TAKE?

The timeline for a personal injury lawsuit depends on a variety of factors. Details like the severity of your injuries and questions about whose actions contributed to the accident can affect the amount of time it takes to reach a fair resolution.

No matter your situation, the experienced attorneys at Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks can help you understand the timeline for your unique situation, navigate the claims process and fight for compensation at every stage of the legal process. Because we represent clients on a contingency fee basis, you will pay nothing for legal representation unless you receive compensation.

RESOLVING CLAIMS WITH YOUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND

Do you dread the thought of reliving the details of your accident at a trial? While our lawyers prepare every claim as if it will end up before a judge and jury, most cases settle prior to reaching that point.

Not only do we aggressively negotiate each claim to obtain a successful recovery, but we also fully explore alternative dispute resolution options, including mediation and arbitration services.

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION WITH A HONOLULU PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

While we are careful to ensure we believe we can help you before we take your case, we always take the time to speak with anyone who has been involved in a negligently caused accident. If we believe that you can be better served by another law firm, we will discuss your options.

Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation or to speak with one of our personal injury attorneys and learn about your options. Send us an email or call us locally at 808-524-1433 today.

All personal injury claims are handled on a contingency basis. This means you will pay nothing at Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks until we recover for you.