Car Accident Attorney Hawaii

- Auto Liability

- Auto PIP Benefits

- Auto Collision

- Auto Comprehensive

- Uninsured Motorist (UM)

- Underinsured Motorist (UIM)

Auto Liability:

This coverage protects the insured from claims made against them. If an accident is another driver's fault and he/she caused damage or injury to you, (with certain restrictions) the other driver's liability insurance coverage should be available to compensate you for your losses. (Note: there are certain threshold requirements to bring a personal injury claim under Hawaii law- these do not apply to property damage claims.)

Automobile liability insurance generally includes coverage for both bodily injury and property damage. There are usually separate limits stated for these two categories of coverage. These auto coverages are mandatory under Hawaii law. That means, if one is required to purchase auto insurance, he/she must buy liability coverage for both bodily injury and property damage.

Auto PIP Benefits:

Since January 1, 1998, under Hawaii law, Personal Injury Protection (sometimes known as "No Fault" or "PIP") has become a basic no-fault type of medical insurance. The minimum coverage required by Hawaii law is $10,000.00. (This does not apply to motorcycles, however.) Regardless of who is at fault for an accident, the PIP insurer (of a vehicle) is responsible to pay the reasonable and necessary medical bills of an owner or occupant of the automobile that they insured (and certain other parties as well) if that person is in need of medical treatment (with certain exceptions). If one exhausts the PIP limit of coverage, then any excess medical bills can be submitted to one's private health insurance. PIP is mandatory coverage in Hawaii.

Auto Collision Coverage:

This coverage pays you for any damage done to your vehicle. It typically is purchased with a deductible. This means that you must pay up to the amount of your deductible and then your insurance will cover the excess to repair your car. If the accident was another driver's fault, your insurance company should demand reimbursement (including your deductible) back from the responsible party's insurer- and, if your deductible is recovered, then they are required to return the deductible to you. Many carriers have failed to return deductibles in the past. Collision insurance carriers may also be responsible for the reduction in the resale value (even after repairs) of a car which has been involved in an accident. This coverage is optional under Hawaii law.

Auto Comprehensive Coverage:

This coverage provides protection if your vehicle is stolen or damaged in a variety of ways other than in an accident with another vehicle. It may have a deductible. This coverage is optional under Hawaii law.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage:

This coverage protects you and your resident family members in case you or one of them are injured by an uninsured driver. In Hawaii there are a large number of uninsured drivers on the road. You should purchase this coverage in the largest limits available. This coverage is cheap and—when purchased with UIM coverage in the same limits—it provides you with an umbrella protection for injuries due to someone else's negligence while operating a motor vehicle. This is not a good place to skimp. UM coverage can generally be purchased in amounts up to the limits of your liability coverage. You should purchase at least $100,000.00/$300,000.00 limits. If you are injured by an uninsured driver, this may be the only recovery available to you (beyond your PIP medical benefits). The difference in price for larger UM limits is usually not very much. The additional protection is well worth the price. Do not waive this coverage.

SOL v. AIG HAWAII, May 18, 1994 The Hawaii Supreme Court holds that uninsured motorist coverage is "optional" additional coverage and that because the legislature intended to prevent no-fault insurers from subrogating against the optional additional coverages, uninsured motorist coverage is exempt from no-fault reimbursement.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage:

This coverage protects you and your resident family members in case you or one of them are injured by a underinsured driver. This is a driver whose liability insurance is inadequate to satisfy your total claim arising out of an accident. In Hawaii there are many accidents in which the party at fault is underinsured. You also should purchase UIM coverage in the largest limits available. UIM coverage is cheap- just like UM coverage- and- when purchased with UM coverage in the same limits- they will together provide you with umbrella protection for injuries which you may suffer due to someone else's negligence while operating a motor vehicle. UIM coverage can generally be purchased in amounts up to the limits of your liability coverage. You should once again purchase at least $100,000.00/$300,000.00 limits. If you are injured by an underinsured driver, this may provide critical protection to assist you in putting the pieces of your life back together. The difference in price for larger UIM limits is usually quite small. The additional protection is well worth the price. Do not waive this coverage.

Contact Car Accident Lawyer Hawaii now for a free evaluation of your case.