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According to statistics from the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), there were about 572 serious injuries in traffic crashes statewide in 2022. Being involved in an auto crash can be an emotional experience.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the odds of a driver being involved in an accident is once every 17.9 years. Depending at what age you start driving, this equates to about three to four accidents in your lifetime.

When someone gets injured, they must be aware of their legal rights to make sure that they get the compensation to which they are entitled under the law. One of those legal rights is contained in the statute of limitations, which is a law that limits the amount of time injured persons must take legal action against the party responsible.

You’ve no doubt heard of “pre-existing conditions” in the context of obtaining health insurance, but this same term can also come into play when filing an insurance claim or a personal injury claim. For example, if you sustain an injury but you’ve also had a pre-existing condition, this will affect how to structure your claim.

In 2022, there were 572 serious injuries that occurred on Hawaii’s roadways, according to the state’s Department of Transportation. Since Hawaii draws so many tourists, it’s reasonable to assume that some of these occurred in rental cars driven by those visiting from out of state or another island.

If you were hit by a drunk driver and injured, suing the driver to obtain compensation is an obvious path to take. You may be able to file a claim against the driver’s liability insurance.

According to a 2021 report done by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), around 9.3% of drivers in Hawaii are currently uninsured. While this is less than the national average of 12.6%, it still means that if you’re involved in a car accident, there’s a nearly 1 in 10 chance that you’ll be hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

In Hawaii, personal injury and negligent accident victims may be eligible to pursue compensation by filing a claim or lawsuit. Upon filing a claim, the insurance company will evaluate the magnitude of your injuries and damages and determine the value of your injury claim.

When injuries occur due to someone else’s negligence, you’ll need to take the proper steps to ensure you get the compensation you deserve and that you aren’t the one left footing the bill for your medical expenses. To do this, many people choose to work with a lawyer, but it’s natural to still be wondering, “Do I need an attorney for a personal injury claim?” and “What questions should I ask a personal injury attorney?”

If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, filing a personal injury claim can seem like an intimidating process, especially if you don’t know how to start and what to expect during the claims process.