Honolulu Car Accidents
The roads of scenic Hawaii may be beautiful, but they also lead to ugly and catastrophic car accidents. A car accident in Honolulu triggers complex legal and factual issues involving legal liability of persons and businesses, insurance coverage, expert witness testimony, opinions by physicians, and a host of other problems. There are generally between 20 – 30 fatalities due to car accidents every year in Hawaii. There are hundreds more persons who are not killed, but who are seriously injured and permanently disabled. Usually, about 1/3rd of the most serious accidents involve drunk drivers.
Statistics tell us that someone is killed in a car accident every thirteen minutes. These statistics account for car accidents in Honolulu and Hawaii, and Hawaii law carries stiff penalties for those found to be at fault in such accidents.
Even when you did nothing wrong, and the other side is obviously at fault, these complex issues of liability and insurance arise. You will usually be at a definite disadvantage if you deal with the insurance companies yourself, or if you hire an attorney who is not experienced in these kinds of cases. Bottom line: if you are involved in a car accident, you should retain the services of an experienced Honolulu car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Your lawyer will need key information to properly handle your case. The sooner the attorney has this “starter set” of information, the better. This includes:
- As much detail as possible about how the accident happened
- The police report
- Names and addresses of any bystanders or other witnesses
- The insurance companies (yours and the other driver’s)
- Where you have received medical treatment so far
- Whether the other driver was intoxicated (this is so your lawyer can investigate whether a bar or restaurant may have observed the other driver). The investigators of the Honolulu Liquor Commission can then start an investigation and possibly collect important information faster than an attorney can because of their special powers.
Car Accident Attorney in Honolulu
The law allows you to seek compensation for personal injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from your car accident. Experienced legal counsel can determine the proper amount of compensation to which you are entitled and help you obtain relief through the legal system.
Jeff Crabtree, a Honolulu car accident lawyer, normally begins handling a case by investigating the circumstances of the accident in detail. If your car accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, the compensation you receive should try to put you back in the position you were in before the accident happened. For example, if the accident renders you unable to work for any period of time, your compensation should account for lost wages during this time frame.
To learn more about how Jeff Crabtree can assist you if involved in a car accident, please read the following:
- Auto Insurance: Getting Medical Bills Paid
- Children Involved in Auto Accidents
- Wrongful Death Caused by Automobile Accidents
- Automobile Accidents Caused by DUI Drivers
- Types of Injuries from Car Accidents
- Auto Accident Lawsuits
- Military Personnel Involved in Car Accidents
