What to do after a hit and run in Hawaii

Knowing what to do after a hit and run can seem a bit complicated. Unlike most of the contiguous United States, Hawaii manages driver’s licenses, fees, and more, county by county. This can make the hit and run laws in Hawaii extremely complex, and it could cause you to scramble after this type of car accident.

Whether you’re watching another driver get away or you’re the one who panicked and ran away, you need to know how to deal with a hit-and-run – and the fallout you can expect. Insurance works a little differently for this type of car accident, and knowing what coverages you can use to cover the expenses can help make the process easier.

hit and run in Hawaii

First, it can be helpful to understand what exactly constitutes a hit-and-run. Since Hawaii’s hit and run law requires all drivers to stop and do certain things after an accident (more details below), whenever someone leaves the scene of an accident Without at least stopping and checking out the others involved, he could be convicted of a hit and run in Hawaii.

Data from the AAA Road Safety Foundation shows that these types of incidents are relatively common in Hawaii. In Figure 2 of this report, you can see that Hawaii ranks quite well when the AAA analyzed hit and run deaths per 100,000 people.

That same report also shows a sharp increase in hit-and-run deaths in Hawaii in 2016, the most recent year for which data has been released. While Hawaii recorded four such deaths in 2014 and just one in 2015, the number jumped to 12 in 2016.

Hawaii hit and run laws

Section 291C of the Hawaii Revised Bylaws specifically requires that whenever you are involved in an accident and someone is injured or a vehicle or other property is damaged, all drivers involved must stop and switch. information and rescue any injured person. This Hawaii hit and run law means that any time an individual leaves the scene of an accident without doing these two things, they are breaking the law. In other words, you could be convicted of a traffic violation, even if you weren’t the driver at fault, if you don’t stick around after the accident.

When it comes to Hawaii hit and run insurance, paying for your medical bills and those of your passengers is pretty straightforward because Hawaii is a no-fault state. The state requires that you have at least $ 10,000 in Injury Protection (PIP), which applies immediately to your injuries.

But having your vehicle repaired will be another story. If you were the responsible driver, you will have to use your collision coverage to pay for repairs, which means paying your deductible. If you are not responsible for the accident and law enforcement can track down the hit-and-run driver, their liability insurance will cover repairs to your vehicle. In this case, you don’t have to worry about a hit-and-run deductible, so you shouldn’t have to pay any fees. If the other driver cannot be located, however, you will need to turn to your uninsured motorist coverage or your own collision coverage for repairs.

Scenarios like this are the reason why most insurance experts recommend purchasing fully covered auto insurance, or at least more than the minimum amount of auto insurance required by the state.

The impact of hit and run on auto insurance rates in Hawaii

One thing every driver should know about Hawaii hit and run insurance: If you flee the scene and get caught, your insurance premiums will skyrocket. And your insurance company will most likely ask you to get an SR-22, which is basically some extra paperwork that you have to pay for.

After a hit and run in Hawaii, you should expect to pay significantly more than the average driver for your auto insurance. This type of driving conviction tells your insurer that you are a high risk driver. If your insurance company agrees to continue to insure you if you’ve been convicted of a hit and run, it comes at a cost. While the average cost of auto insurance in Hawaii with a clean driving record is very low compared to the national average, this is not the case with a hit-and-run conviction.

Average annual premiums for full coverage auto insurance

5 things to do after a hit and run in Hawaii

Here we assume that you are the victim of a hit and run in Hawaii and are wondering how to handle things at the scene of the accident. If you were the driver of a hit and run, the best thing you can do is probably get back to the scene as soon as possible to try and get it right.

• Don’t give chase. While it might be tempting to follow the fleeing driver, it would mean that you would also be leaving the scene of the accident, breaking Hawaiian hit and run law. In addition, it could worsen any injuries that you or your passengers may suffer. Instead of tracking, try memorizing their license plate number or other details about their vehicle as they walk away.
• Make yourself safe. Focus on moving your vehicle out of the flow of traffic and controlling yourself and all passengers. If other damaged vehicles or injured people remain on the scene and you feel well enough to do so, help them to safety as well. Call 911 if someone is injured so they can send emergency medical attention.
• Write down the details. Once everyone is safe, take the time to write down everything you can remember about the driver who got away. If you can remember, write down their license plate number, the make and model of the vehicle, and anything that might help the police identify them and their vehicle. While everything is still fresh, it may also be helpful to write your account of the accident. Also take pictures of any injuries and property damage, including damage to your car. This can help both the policy and your insurance claim.
• Call the police. If you haven’t called 911 for medical attention yet, do so now so they can send an agent to the scene of the accident. This law enforcement professional will gather evidence at the scene, along with your testimony and the testimony of other witnesses. All of this information can help them find the hit-and-run driver. In addition, a police report can facilitate the processing of your insurance claim.
• Contact your insurer. Finally, call your insurance company or make a claim on their app or website. They’ll tell you how to get going and what types of Hawaii hit and run insurance coverage can help you with your expenses.

Will the insurance cover a hit and run?

At the very least, after a hit and run, Hawaii auto insurance will cover your medical expenses and those of your passengers (up to the limits of your policy) since all drivers in Aloha State are required to pay. ‘have PIP coverage.

Repairing your vehicle can be more complex. You basically have three options:

• Liability insurance. If the hit-and-run driver can be found, their liability coverage will cover repairs to your vehicle (or a replacement, if your vehicle is totaled), up to their policy limits.
• Coverage for uninsured motorists. This optional cover comes not only when the offending driver is driving illegally without insurance, but also when he illegally flees the scene of the accident. This coverage usually doesn’t require a deductible, which means you shouldn’t have to pay any money to repair or replace your car. In Hawaii, auto insurance companies must offer you coverage for uninsured motorists, but you can decline it in writing.
• Collision coverage. If you have chosen not to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, another optional coverage, collision coverage, may apply. This coverage is specially designed to pay for vehicle repairs after an accident, but it comes with a deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does auto insurance cost?

It depends. With a clean driving record, the average Hawaii driver pays $ 1,127 for their policy. But after a hit and run, insurance in Hawaii costs a lot more. Our average driver paid almost $ 5,700 for his policy after fleeing the scene of an accident. The national average for full coverage auto insurance is $ 1,674 per year, but rates vary widely from state to state and your actual rate may be higher or lower depending on your situation.

Will I be able to purchase insurance after a hit and run in Hawaii?

It depends. If you are convicted of a hit and run, there is always a chance that your insurer will abandon you after a serious conviction like this. In many cases, to maintain coverage, you’ll need an SR-22 and a budget for significantly above-average auto insurance premiums. If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run, you shouldn’t have a problem getting auto insurance, but your rates could be higher for a while if you had to file a claim with your insurance company at the aftermath of the accident.

Methodology

Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all zip codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, DC Rates shown are based on a 40 year old male and female driver with a clean driving record, credit and the following comprehensive coverage limits:

• $ 100,000 liability for bodily injury per person
• $ 300,000 in civil liability for bodily injury per accident
• Civil liability for property damage of $ 50,000 per accident
• $ 100,000 in bodily injury caused by an uninsured motorist per person
• $ 300,000 in uninsured bodily injury per accident to a motorist
• $ 500 collision deductible
• Global deductible of $ 500

To determine the minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets the requirements of each state. Our basic profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and cover 12,000 miles a year.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.

Incident: The rates were calculated by evaluating our basic profile with the following incidents applied: clean criminal record (basic), responsible accident, single speeding ticket, single conviction for driving while intoxicated and forfeiture of coverage.