Honolulu Car Accident Lawyer
Injured in a motor vehicle crash in Hawaii? You’re going to need an experienced Honolulu car accident lawyer to protect your rights.
From the congested H-1 freeway during rush hour to the tourist-heavy areas around Waikiki Beach, our island roads present distinct hazards. Add in Hawaii’s no-fault insurance laws, military personnel jurisdictional issues, and the complex interplay between state and federal regulations, and you have a legal maze that demands knowledge, skill, and perseverance to win.
At Burk Injury Lawyers, we fight for the little guy, standing up against big name insurance companies and making sure they pay fair compensation to injured people like you.
- Our firm has decades of experience in personal injury law.
- We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case.
- No fees unless we win – we work on a contingency basis.
Hurt by a Jerk? Better call Burk.702-620-2020
Why Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Honolulu?
Hiring a Honolulu car accident lawyer after a crash can mean the difference between walking away with a lowball settlement and securing the full financial recovery you need. Insurance companies often try to resolve claims quickly, and cheaply, before injured victims fully understand the value of their cases. In Hawaii, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, accepting an inadequate payout could leave you struggling to cover ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Experienced attorney Christopher Burk can:
- Protect Your Rights Under Hawaii’s No-Fault Insurance Laws – Hawaii’s no-fault system can be confusing, especially if your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold that allows you to step outside your no-fault claim and pursue a liability claim.
- Handle Communications With Insurers – Our law firm can shield you from high-pressure tactics and prevent you from making statements that could be used to reduce your payout.
- Investigate and Prove Fault – Even in no-fault states, proving the other driver’s negligence can significantly impact your ability to recover damages beyond PIP benefits.
- Maximize Your Compensation – This includes damages for future medical care, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering — not just the initial bills you see today.
- Navigate Honolulu’s Legal Landscape – Local knowledge matters, from understanding court procedures to anticipating defense strategies used by insurance counsel in Hawaii.
When the stakes are high, going it alone is risky. With Burk Injury Lawyers on your side, you’ll have a legal advocate committed to fighting for the full value of your claim, so you can focus on recovery.
Hawaii’s Car Crash Snapshot: The Roads Are Getting Deadlier
- In 2024, Hawaii saw 102 traffic-related fatalities statewide, up 10% from 93 in 2023. Nearly 42 of those killed were vulnerable road users—including 37 pedestrians, a sharp rise from 23 the year before.
- On Oahu, as of late July 2024, there had been 59 traffic fatalities, a 17% jump over the same period in 2023.
- Off the mainland coast, Hawaii Island has seen its own surge: 17 deaths in 15 fatal crashes, doubling the prior year’s tally.
What These Numbers Mean for You
These aren’t just numbers. These statistics represent families of car accident victims who have lost their lives. And then there are those who survived. They find themselves facing years of pain, surgeries, physical therapy, and more. These are people who are often blind sided by the reality of Hawaii’s accident laws.
If you’re recovering from a collision, and you’re assuming that a modest settlement is close enough, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. In a high-cost society like Honolulu, that settlement could leave you short on medical bills, future rehab, or lost wages.
Call 702-620-2020 to recover maximum compensation.
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“I’ve sat across from too many clients who came in months after their crash, clutching a settlement offer that barely covered their ER bill. They didn’t know they could fight it, They didn’t know how much more they were entitled to recover. My job isn’t just to get you money. It’s to make sure the insurance companies respect what you’ve been through, pay what they owe, and give you the financial breathing room to move forward.”
~ Christopher Burk
Why Honolulu Car Accidents Are Different
Honolulu car accident cases aren’t just “mainland” claims with palm trees in the background. Our island’s unique conditions create collision scenarios you won’t find anywhere else, and each one comes with characteristics that can impact the size of your settlement.
From tourist-heavy streets near Waikiki to traffic snarls on the H-1 freeway, and from military base proximity issues to Hawaii’s strict insurance rules, we’ve handled them all. We know how to navigate these island-specific challenges to maximize your recovery.
Hawaii’s PIP Laws: Helpful, But Not Enough
Hawaii is a no-fault state that operates under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance laws. At first, PIP can feel like a safety net, covering immediate medical bills and lost wages up to a set limit. But for serious injuries, that safety net has holes. PIP only covers up to $10,000 per person for medical and rehabilitation costs, and it doesn’t include pain and suffering, property damage, or long-term consequences. It rarely covers the full cost of long-term treatment, rehabilitation, or lost earning capacity.
That $10K might sound like a safety net until you break a bone or need surgery — then it feels like a band-aid on a broken limb. Worst part? You’ll only be able to step outside the no-fault lane to sue the at-fault driver if your injuries cross a “serious injury threshold.” That includes things like:
- Medical bills over $5,000
- Permanent loss of bodily function or serious disfigurement
- Serious, long-term limitations in daily life or career
- Death
Even then, you still need your Hawaii personal injury lawyer to fight for that claim—and make sure all your costs, not just the basics, are covered.
We identify when PIP benefits fall short, and we pursue additional compensation through liability claims. This is how we bridge the gap between what PIP pays and the amount you need to rebuild your life.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Car Accident Under Hawaii Law
Depending on your injuries, you may be entitled to:
- Coverage of all medical bills, including ER visits, surgeries, rehab, prescriptions, and more
- Lost income and loss of future earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Expenses related to necessary home or vehicle modifications
- Long-term care costs if you need ongoing treatment, including in-home nursing care
The only way to know the full scope of your financial recovery is to talk to a lawyer who is familiar with Hawaii law and the local insurance climate.
Common Honolulu Car Accident Scenarios We Handle
H-1 Freeway Collisions
The H-1 freeway is Oahu’s main artery — and ground zero for some of the island’s most tragic crashes. Rush-hour stop-and-go traffic leads to rear-end collisions, while aging infrastructure and frequent construction zones create hazardous conditions. We handle everything from multi-vehicle pileups to single-car accidents caused by poor road maintenance, securing compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Tourist-Related Accidents
With millions of visitors every year, tourist-involved crashes are a daily reality in Honolulu. These cases often involve rental cars, out-of-state insurance policies, and drivers unfamiliar with local traffic laws. Our team knows how to pursue claims against rental car companies and cut through the red tape of non-Hawaii insurance providers to ensure you aren’t left footing the bill.
Motorcycle Accidents
Year-round riding weather makes Hawaii a paradise for motorcyclists — but also a hotspot for serious motorcycle crashes. From gravel on mountain roads to oil slicks near the harbor, two-wheeled vehicles face unique dangers here. We fight back against the bias insurance companies often have toward riders, making sure your side of the story is heard, and your losses are fully compensated.
Military Personnel Accidents
With several military installations on Oahu, accidents involving service members are common — and complicated. Federal laws, military insurance systems, and jurisdictional rules can quickly tangle a case. We have the experience to handle military-related car accident claims, working within federal procedures while protecting your rights under Hawaii law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honolulu Car Accidents
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Hawaii?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Hawaii. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation. However, certain circumstances—such as accidents involving government vehicles—may have shorter time limits.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Yes, since Hawaii is a no-fault car accident state, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers your medical expenses and certain other costs after an accident, no matter who was at fault. However, fault still matters for serious claims in the state. If your injuries are serious, and your case qualifies, you can step outside the no-fault system and sure the other driver. In these cases, Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Yes. Even in seemingly minor accidents, hidden injuries and delayed symptoms can surface later. A lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and help you avoid costly mistakes when dealing with insurance companies.
Free Consultation — Protect Your Rights Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Honolulu, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Call Burk Injury Lawyers at 702-620-2020 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.