In implementing no-fault insurance, Hawaii law has simplified the process for auto accident victims. After most accidents, drivers and their passengers are able to seek compensation directly from the driver’s insurance company instead of bringing a personal injury lawsuit against another driver.
Personal Injury Protection
Hawaii requires drivers to carry a type of insurance known as personal injury protection, or PIP, which protects the driver and passengers in case of injury. The state requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP protection. After a minor accident, drivers can simply notify their insurer, pass along their medical bills, and receive compensation.
In accidents that cause more serious damage or severe injury, however, the process sometimes works differently. When you have suffered over $5,000 in damages or your injuries are considered serious or permanent, you may be allowed to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver.
Although Hawaii is a no-fault state, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for any damage that they cause to other drivers, passengers or pedestrians. A car accident attorney can help you pursue claims against the liable driver.
Protection Against Serious Accidents
Unfortunately, many drivers carry the minimum required liability insurance of $20,000 per person or $40,000 per accident, so a serious wreck could lead to damages that are far higher than those recoverable through insurance. To protect against this situation, drivers in Hawaii can purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). This type of insurance kicks in to help pay your expenses when your own PIP insurance and the responsible driver’s liability insurance are not enough to cover your costs. UIM also protects you when you are hit by an uninsured driver.
Carrying PIP, liability and UIM insurance above the minimum required amounts is not particularly expensive, and this extra coverage can make a world of difference if you are in a serious auto accident.
Contact our skilled legal team in Honolulu now
If you or someone close to you has been in a car accident in the Honolulu area, the personal injury attorneys at Shim & Chang are here to help. Call us at 808-524-5803 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
The Estate of Mark Tokuyama v. City and County of Honolulu Jury awarded $953,114.57, which at the time was the highest award ever for a drowning case.
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When the condo owner living above us caused water damage to our condo, we were displaced for nearly two months. When his insurance carrier refused to compensate us for the inconvenience and the temporary housing cost, we hired the law firm of Shim an...
With more than 30 years of practical and trial experience handling all types of personal injury cases, Roy K. S. Chang has molded Shim & Chang into a highly creative and innovative law firm that honors the Hawaiian spirit of aloha. He has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, indicating…
With his unique name and background, Harvey M. Demetrakopoulos' character and experience have greatly added to the creative and innovative approach of Shim & Chang. He has been with the firm since 1996, exclusively handling personal injury cases. Raised in Honolulu, Harvey graduated from Kaimuki High School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa…
Alvin Tong Shim, Founder of Shim & Chang In Memoriam of Alvin Tong Shim, November 10, 1923 - June 24, 2006 The Spirit of Aloha Born in Wailuku, Maui on November 10, 1923, Alvin Tong Shim was the second child and first son of Henry and Helen Shim. As a young boy, he earned money…
