Legal•Info

Hawaii Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Call (888) 471-3714 to speak with a car accident attorney.

Motorcycle accidents are unique from other forms of vehicular collisions for a number of reasons. First off, they are more likely to result in traumatic injury and death than collisions involving regular automobiles. Second, a larger share of injuries involve head trauma due to the unique dynamics of a motorcycle collision. Like other accidents, motorcyclists also suffer collisions due to common factors, like weather, road conditions, impaired drivers, and visibility. The effects of a motorcycle accident can be devastating, and they often occur at no fault of the motorcyclist. In fact, it's found that cars or trucks are at fault in collisions involving motorcycles nearly 80 percent of the time. Much of this has to do with the smaller size of motorcycles and other drivers' inability to recognize traffic laws and rules of the road as they pertain to motorcycles. In Hawaii, as elsewhere, motorcycles represent a small fraction of registrations and miles driven on the road, but a greatly disproportionate number of deaths and serious injuries.

These factors that make motorcycle accidents unique each have their own legal implications and complications. Traumatic bodily injury often results in a long period of rehabilitation and a substantial loss of work, which needs to be documented accurately and comprehensively if recovery from a negligent party is being sought. A motorcycle accident victim who is unable to testify due to death or extensive injury cannot offer evidence, so forensic accident reconstruction experts and engineers trained in collision and impact dynamics must be available. Skilled attorneys in the liability regime and evidence laws of Hawaii must cultivate the expert and lay witnesses necessary to build a case on behalf of a motorcycle operator.

When law enforcement cites a motorcycle operator involved in an accident, the issues surrounding those charges need to be dealt with as well. Finding an attorney who is prepared and experienced in the unique factors surrounding the motorcycle accident case is critical for the pursuit of compensation for mental or physical injuries, damage, loss of earnings, medical expenses, and any other damages resulting from the motorcycle accident.
Because of the very nature of a motorcycle, accidents are a common hazard, and unlike car accidents, the potential of having a fatal accident is high. It is reported that anywhere from 70 to 80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death, while the injury/fatality rate of passenger vehicles is 20 percent. Head injury is the most common reason for a severe injury or a death for a motorcyclist involved in an accident. There are several reasons for this. Motorcycles offer no protection from the elements and absolutely no protective
barrier between the roads and car drivers.

In Hawaii, helmet, registration, and equipment laws are in place to help reduce accidents, but little is in place to educate other drivers as to their obligations on the road with motorcyclists. Hawaii law requires motorcycles to be registered and insured, and requires protective headgear and eyewear for some operators and passengers. An experienced attorney has to deal with a growing sentiment among judges, juries, regulators, law enforcement, and medical experts that motorcycle riding is inherently risky and that the injuries negligently inflicted upon them by other drivers are actually caused by their decision to ride a motorcycle. Luckily, a truly qualified Hawaii motorcycle accident attorney will know how to do just that disprove the myth that it is the actions of motorcyclists that lead to collisions. Their know-how and expertise can assure the best possible compensation.