In Hawaii, all drivers are required to have insurance. It is the law.
However, many drivers do not have insurance. Some can't afford insurance. Others mistakenly allow their insurance policies to lapse. Regardless of the reason, victims of an accident involving an uninsured driver may have difficulty recovering anything from the uninsured driver.
Since most uninsured drivers do not have the ability to pay for an injured victim's injuries, insurance companies offer a form of coverage called “uninsured motorist” or “UIM”. UIM is offered as an additional coverage to an auto insurance policy. However, UIM coverage is NOT REQUIRED in Hawaii. Many drivers decline UIM coverage based on the additional cost.
RIGHTS TO RECOVERY UNDER A "UIM" POLICY
If UIM coverage is available, an injured victim may be eligible to receive similar financial benefits as would be available if the at-fault driver had insurance. Such benefits may include but not be limited to:
• Medical Expenses
• Wage Loss
• Pain and Suffering
• Vehicle and Property Damage
Unfortunately, the financial benefits available to an injured party in a UIM claim are limited by the insurance policy. Since a UIM claim is based on a contract (the insurance policy), its benefits are subject to certain limits called “policy limits”. In Hawaii, drivers are required to have minimum policy limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 for any and all people injured in an accident.
Oftentimes, injured parties are unaware that many UIM policies cover not only auto accidents but also pedestrian and bicycle accidents. If you are a bicyclist or pedestrian struck by an uninsured motorist, and you have UIM coverage, you may be eligible for a UIM settlement.
If you, or a loved one, have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver, please contact our office at (808) 348-7800 or by completing the "Contact Our Firm" box to the right of this and every page.
Our primary office is located in South Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. However, we work to help the entire Big Island community as well as our neighbors on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui with information and representation in all types of personal injury claims. We look forward to discussing your case and assisting you with locating insurance coverage for your injuries.