Hawaii Hit-and-Run
In Hawaii, a hit-and-run is a criminal offense with up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Hit-and-run offenses in Hawaii are serious criminal convictions that can earn drivers up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
With
hit-and-run incidents
happening every 43 seconds in the U.S. according to AAA, they’re a nationwide issue. To mitigate these issues, each state has implemented stringent laws penalizing drivers who fail to stop and exchange their information after an accident.A hit-and-run incident should never be taken lightly. The first step in protecting yourself and others from being involved in a hit-and-run accident is by understanding the laws in place to prevent them, and how to respond when you’re on either side of the collision.
Thanks to the
car insurance
gurus of Jerry
, this article details everything you need to know in the event of a hit-and-run in Hawaii (and everything you ever wanted to know about reducing your Hawaii car insurance costs
).RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
What is a hit-and-run?
Any collision with another driver or stationary object where the driver leaves the site of the accident is considered a hit-and-run. There’s a legal and moral obligation to remain at the accident site, regardless of who caused the accident, and exchange insurance information so a claim can be filed.
There’s also a requirement to contact law enforcement officials and/or paramedics immediately after an accident to ensure medical attention is administered to those who need it. Failure to contact officials and provide personal information before
leaving the scene of the accident
will result in criminal charges.What happens if you commit a hit-and-run in Hawaii?
Any accident that causes damage to another vehicle, property, or pedestrian where the driver flees the scene is considered a hit-and-run in Hawaii. Drivers are required to stop immediately after the collision and remain at the scene until all necessary legal actions are taken.
Neglecting to stay long enough to offer the information needed to file a police report will earn you serious criminal charges and financial obligations.
Is a hit-and-run a felony in Hawaii?
If the aftermath of a hit-and-run incident results in minor injuries and property damage for the victim, the driver will be charged with a misdemeanor. Should the accident cause severe bodily injury or death, the offense will be prosecuted as a felony.
The severity of the charges depends on the amount of harm caused to the victim in terms of injuries and damage to their personal property. If you’re convicted of hit-and-run offenses, it’s best to hire a lawyer to help you navigate options for reducing the charges.
What is the punishment for a hit-and-run in Hawaii?
The minimum penalties for a misdemeanor hit-and-run in Hawaii are up to one year in prison and up to $2,000 in fines. Devastating circumstances caused by a hit-and-run—like the death of a victim—will cause the driver to permanently lose their driver’s license, among other consequences.
This is how the hierarchy of hit-and-run charges are broken down in Hawaii:
Result of accident | Possible punishment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Bodily injury | Misdemeanor | Fine up to $2,000 | Up to one year in prison |
Substantial bodily injury | Class C felony | Fine up to $10,000 | Up to five years in prison |
Death | Class B felony | Fine of up to $50,000 | Up to 10 years in prison |
How to avoid a hit-and-run charge
When you strike another driver’s vehicle or property, your fight-or-flight response is triggered and the worst possible choice you could make is to flee. Instead, follow these steps the moment an accident happens to avoid being charged with a hit-and-run:
- Move your car to a nearby spot and stop your vehicle
- Assess the damage and contact officials like police and paramedics, if needed
- Approach the other driver(s) involved and exchange personal information
- When the other driver isn’t present, leave a note with your information
In more critical accidents that leave drivers injured or worse, you’ll need to arrange for their transportation to the nearest hospital.
What should I do if I experience a hit-and-run in Hawaii?
It’s shocking and terrifying to be on the receiving end of a hit-and-run, but there are actions you can take at the time of the accident to ease the aftermath.
First of all, breathe. Stop your car as soon and as safely as you can, determine if you or any passengers need medical attention, and then follow these steps:
- Call 911 to get medical assistance if needed and alert police to file a report
- Consult any nearby witnesses and ask for their contact information to have on hand
- Record notes and take photos of the scene to use as evidence
- Reach out to your insurance company immediately after those steps are completed
What to avoid:
- Don’t attempt to follow the car that hit you
- Don’t post any pictures on social media where they could be misinterpreted
What insurance covers a hit-and-run?
Hawaii is a no-fault state. That means drivers in Hawaii are required to demonstrate their ability to pay for byproducts of a collision, which includes covering their medical expenses regardless of who is at fault.
These coverages include:
- $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
These requirements tend to fall short in the case of a hit-and-run, but 10.6% of drivers in Hawaii fail to maintain their insurance payments, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
To combat the number of uninsured drivers with a safety net of your own, it’s recommended to get these three additional coverages:
Insurance type | Will it cover a hit-and-run? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Uninsured motorist coverage | Yes | Offsets the costs of your medical bills even when the other driver is uninsured |
Collision coverage | Yes | Covers damage done to your vehicle in a collision |
Comprehensive coverage | Yes | Common to purchase alongside comprehensive insurance and covers damage sustained by other causes |
How to find affordable insurance for collisions and more
The last thing you’ll want to do after a hit-and-run accident is put your time into finding a car insurance policy that can help you recover from the damage.
Luckily, all you need is 45 seconds on hand to sign up for the car super app
Jerry
. Without any paperwork or dreaded phone calls, Jerry will source the most competitive rates from over 55 insurance companies in the U.S. to find you the coverage you need.If you decide to make a money-saving switch, Jerry will handle all the legwork it takes to get your policy switched over and help you cancel your existing one.
Join Jerry users to save an average of $887 annually when you download the
trustworthy comparison shopping super app
.“My past tickets were making it hard to find affordable insurance. WithJerry, I went from paying $450/month to $273/month. They took care of everything—such a relief!” —Josephine R.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
FAQs
Compare Car Insurance Quotes For Free
Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Members save $872/year.
Start saving money!
You might also be interested
