Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Honolulu

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  The non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Honolulu is (808) 935-3311.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  You can obtain a police report in person from the Honolulu Police Department's Records and Identification Division. You can also send a written request to the Records Division to get a copy of a police report via mail. The Records Division is open from Monday to Friday and closed on weekends and state or federal holidays.

• Can bars be held liable for alcohol-related truck accidents in Honolulu?

  Owners of any bar or business that sells alcohol in Hawaii may be held liable for injuries caused by their intoxicated customers. This is known as a "dram shop" liability. Vendors licensed to sell alcohol in Hawaii may not sell it to the following people, according to Hawaii Revised Statutes section 281-78:

  • Individuals under the age of 21.
  • Any individual who is under the influence of alcohol
  • Any person known to the licensee to be addicted to excessive alcohol consumption
  • Anyone who will consume alcohol while driving a vehicle

• What are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Honolulu?

  Driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, poor trucking company maintenance, distracted driving, drunk or drugged driving, and aggressive driving are the most common causes of truck accidents in Honolulu. Another factor that contributes to truck accidents is the risk of underride caused by the height of commercial trucks, which increases the likelihood of death or serious injury to the occupants of the shorter vehicle.

• How can a Honolulu truck accident lawyer help victims prove the negligence of other drivers?

  A truck accident lawyer in Honolulu can help victims prove negligence by establishing the following elements:

  • Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff care.
  • Breach of Duty: the defendant failed to fulfill his or her responsibilities.
  • Proximate Cause: the defendant's failure caused the plaintiff's injury (rather than something else).
  • Damages: The plaintiff was injured and suffered financial losses.

• Can you still be compensated if you contributed to a Honolulu truck accident?

  Because Hawaii follows the modified comparative negligence rule, you could still be compensated even if you contributed to a truck accident in Honolulu. Your payment will be reduced in proportion to the extent of your fault. For example, if the court determines that you are 20% to blame, the compensation you receive will be 20% less. However, if it is determined that you were more than 50% to blame for your injury, you will be denied compensation.

• How much do Honolulu lawyers charge for truck accident cases?

  Truck accident lawyers in Honolulu only take cases on a contingency basis. To put it another way, they are not paid until the injured parties receive compensation. Victims can rest easy knowing that their attorneys share their desire to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for their injuries as soon as possible because they aren't paid until their clients receive a settlement.

• What does a truck accident attorney do?

  A truck accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney specializing in truck accidents. These lawyers help their clients navigate the legally complex terrain of truck accident law by gathering evidence, sending demand letters, negotiating with insurance companies, and preparing the case for trial.In most cases, they are personal injury lawyers who specialize in this particular type of claim.

• Who can be sued in a truck accident case?

  Truck accident liability is a notoriously complex area. In car accidents, liability is typically shared by one or more drivers, but that’s not always the case with truck collisions. These are just a few of the parties that may be responsible for truck accidents and subsequent injuries:

  • Equipment owners, including leasing companies
  • Truck drivers who are reckless, intoxicated, or make mistakes
  • Trucking companies accountable for hiring and keeping records
  • Maintenance providers who are negligent or fail to perform routine tasks
  • Loading personnel in accidents caused by shifting loads
  • Third-party drivers, especially in multi-vehicle collisions
  • Equipment manufacturers that sell defective parts

• What do I need to know about truck accident cases in court?

  In truck accident cases, as in all personal injury cases, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or party filing the lawsuit. To prevail in court, the plaintiff must prove four things:

  • The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, such as having a legal responsibility to hire qualified drivers and maintain safe equipment.
  • In negligence claims, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached this duty.
  • The plaintiff must show that they suffered damages or experienced harm.
  • Finally, the plaintiff must prove that these losses were a direct result of the defendant’s breach.

  
  

• What are the common causes of truck accidents?

  Driver error is the single most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, but a variety of factors come into play on busy highways and secondary roads. Other potential causes of truck accidents include the following:

  • Inadequate or improper driver training
  • Severe weather, including rain, sleet, ice, and fog
  • Dangerous roadways, potholes, and construction zones
  • Improper loading, excess weight, and shifting cargo
  • Reckless driving involving intoxication or distractions
  • Faulty equipment, such as failing brakes

  
  

• Can I sue if I was hit by a truck owned by a big company?

  Yes, all trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and maintaining safe equipment. However, a lengthy investigation may be required to document the scene, establish contributing factors, and hold the company responsible. Personal injury attorneys generally focus on the following points during the investigation:

  • Checking the truck driver’s record
  • Securing phone records to prove distracted driving
  • Photographing skid marks and road conditions
  • Verifying the truck’s weight and maintenance history
  • Establishing the driver’s physical and mental health
  • Reviewing logbooks to identify times of service violations
  • Checking for previous violations to establish a pattern of misconduct

  
  

• How many semi truck accidents are there per year?

  In the U.S., it's estimated that there are 500,000 large truck accidents per year with an average of nearly 1,400 per day, according to data collected from police reports. Of those 500,000 accidents, approximately 4,000 result in a death. The majority of semi truck accidents are caused by mechanical defects and driver fatigue.

• Can I sue for being hit by a semi truck?

  If you have been injured in an accident with a semi truck that is not your fault, you are entitled to compensation for the damages to your vehicle as well as for your medical bills, time missed from work, and other damages suffered. You can sue if the person or company refuses to offer fair compensation.

• What should I do after a truck accident?

  The most important thing to do after a serious accident is to seek medical attention. You should also collect witness information, photographs of the accident scene, a copy of the police report, and contact information from the driver of the truck. Gather all of your paperwork related to the accident, including copies of your medical bills. Avoid posting about the accident on social media or speaking to the driver's insurance company before seeking legal advice, because anything you say can be used against you and affect your compensation.

• How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take?

  Most lawsuits are settled without going to court, so reaching a settlement can happen at any point that both parties agree on fair compensation. However, in most states, once an agreement has been reached, it cannot be changed, so it's a good idea to wait long enough to ensure that there are no additional injuries before settling.

• Do semi truck accidents go to trial?

  Litigation for semi truck accidents is similar to auto accidents, but it's usually more complicated because any number of parties may ultimately be responsible for the accident, including the company that handles the truck's maintenance or repairs. If attempts at negotiating a settlement with the responsible party are unsuccessful, the lawsuit may proceed to trial. In some cases, more than one party is responsible and one of the parties may fight the lawsuit and claim no responsibility. For these reasons, it's important to seek legal help from an attorney with experience in litigating semi truck accidents.