How Frequent Are Auto Accidents in Hawaii?

Not only can motor vehicle crashes often result in major property damage, but depending on the impact’s severity, a vehicle’s drivers and passengers might also have severe injuries. Of course, there are several elements that might contribute to motor vehicle accidents in Hawaii and exacerbate their repercussions.

Frequently, drivers in Hawaii must traverse congested city streets and narrow, curving roadways despite extreme weather and other obstacles. Inclement either and driver errors, like distracted driving, are common contributors to deadly collisions in the Aloha State.

Sadly, the general patterns prevalent across the rest of the nation can also be seen in Hawaii. One million automobiles are registered in Hawaii, and each year, there are well over 10,000 accidents. Despite the fact that reducing automobile accidents is a high priority for officials and authorities in Aloha State, they continue to be the greatest cause of injury and death throughout the islands and the nation as a whole.

The Latest Data on Hawaii Car Accidents

According to the Hawaiian Department of Transportation, between 120 and 150 people are killed annually in car accidents in Hawaii. In Hawaii, speeding causes more accidents than any other factor, including distracted driving. Not yielding, driving in the wrong direction, following too closely, and making hazardous maneuvers are other factors that contribute to these unfortunate accidents.

Additionally, at least 90 people perished in vehicle accidents in Hawaii last year. Furthermore, alcohol was implicated in slightly more than 35% of these incidents. In addition, speeding contributed to 42% of these events (or around 40 of them). Per officials, the three age groups most likely to die in a car accident in Hawaii are those aged 18 to 25, 40 to 50, and 65 and older.

The chance of being involved in an accident may be lowered by obeying traffic laws, but it exists regardless of how careful you are.

Common Causes of Vehicle Crashes in Hawaii

One of the most common causes of collisions in Hawaii and throughout the United States is reckless or careless driving. While there is a legal definition for reckless driving, the phrase encompasses a wide variety of behaviors. Because of their driving habits, some drivers are irresponsible. They speed, make irregular lane changes, and drive through junctions without yielding.

Moreover, other variables may impair a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. Whether the impairment is a result of alcohol, narcotics, or prescription medications, these substances may significantly influence perceptions, response time, and cognition, resulting in serious crashes.

Distracted driving is an issue that will not disappear. Even the most resolute drivers are tempted to multitask behind the wheel by a variety of distractions. Texting, personal grooming, reading, managing an audio system, and dining are examples of such activities. Unfortunately, all of these activities divert a driver’s attention from the road and may result in a catastrophic accident.

Nonetheless, distracted driving may be prevented by taking a few basic safeguards. Consider the following distracted driving safety steps to increase your chances of avoiding an accident.

• Avoid texting. There are many programs that block drivers from sending or receiving text messages while driving a car. These applications provide a wide variety of functionalities, from automatically reacting to incoming messages to fully blocking them when the user’s speed exceeds a certain threshold while driving.
• Don’t focus on navigation. If you are traveling with others, a passenger of the appropriate age should take control of navigation. A passenger who knows their way around is better than a driver trying to navigate. And if you are traveling alone, take note of any directions ahead of time.
• Avoid tinkering with the radio or adjusting the dial. Before entering a vehicle, create playlists from which to choose. Stop in a safe area or wait for a red light if you need to change the station. Creating presets for your favorite radio stations is also essential.
• Put down your mobile phone and focus on driving. Turn off your phone’s text or call notifications if you need extra help avoiding the temptation of checking your mobile device.

How Does Tourism Affect Hawaii’s Accident Rate?

Hawaii is an annual vacation destination for millions of people. The majority of these people hire driving or rent vehicles for sightseeing trips. Unfortunately, when these tourists acquire a rental car, they may be unfamiliar with local instructions, sites, roads, and dangerous areas. Although well-intentioned, tourists may make driving blunders that result in severe incidents.

Based on data supplied by the Queen’s Medical Center (QMC) in Hawaii, a total of about 8,240 patients were admitted and treated for major injuries or trauma over a five-year period. Of these injuries, officials say that over 460 (close to 6%) were visitors. The most frequent causes of tourist or visitor injuries in Hawaii were falls (accounting for roughly 24%), water-related injuries (approximately 23%), motor vehicle accidents (nearly 19%), motorcycle, moped, and recreational vehicle collisions (just over 12%), and bicycle accidents (4%).

Plus, visitors account for just around 13% of the population on a given day yet contribute to 44% of the total admissions for Hawaii’s tourist-related injuries. Meanwhile, head and spine injuries make up over two-thirds (about 68%) of these visitor injuries.

Depending on a number of variables, these motor vehicle crashes may cause catastrophic property damage and injuries. Unfortunately, brain injury, spinal cord trauma, burns, and crushing injuries are all possible outcomes for those involved in vehicle wrecks.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Honolulu

Luckily, Hawaii residents who have suffered significant injuries as a consequence of a vehicle accident caused by another party’s negligence may seek legal representation from the personal injury lawyers at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner. Auto accidents are common in Hawaii because of excessive traffic, intoxicated drivers, distracted drivers, and those who drive recklessly, among other reasons.

In addition to the enormous costs that are connected with treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care, the emotional anguish and agonizing physical suffering that are often the results of these occurrences may linger for a very long time.

Our attorneys understand how difficult the aftermath of such an accident is. And during the course of our years in business, we have been entrusted with the representation of a large number of wounded customers. After an accident, our Honolulu car accident attorneys are committed to assisting their clients in obtaining justice as well as reasonable recompense for their losses. Please give us a call at 808-537-2525 if you would like a free initial consultation with our team.