Why Uber Accidents in Hawaii Require a Specialized Lawyer
May 17, 2025
The rise of rideshare services like Uber has changed the way both residents and visitors get around Hawaii. Whether you’re grabbing a ride from HNL to your hotel in Waikīkī, heading to a dinner spot in Kakaʻako, or catching a sunset in Kailua, rideshare apps offer convenience at your fingertips. But when accidents happen involving Uber drivers, the legal aftermath is anything but simple, especially here in the islands.
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident in Hawaii, it’s crucial to work with a lawyer who not only understands personal injury law but also the unique challenges of rideshare cases and the local nuances that come with them. Here’s why a specialized rideshare attorney is essential and how our team can help.
Rideshare Accidents Are Legally Complex
Uber accident claims are far more complicated than traditional car accidents. Why? Because multiple parties may be involved, including:
- The Uber driver
- Other motorists
- Uber as a corporation
- Third-party insurance companies
Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, a distinction they frequently exploit to minimize liability. The insurance policies and coverage limits vary based on the Uber driver’s status at the time of an accident—whether they are offline, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting a passenger.
Our team of experienced rideshare lawyers can access Uber’s digital records, interpret the company’s tiered insurance policies, and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable. Lacking that expertise, crucial evidence may be lost, along with your opportunity to obtain fair compensation.
Uber’s Tiered Insurance Coverage
What makes Uber accidents even more complicated is the company’s three-phase insurance system. Depending on what the driver was doing, the available insurance coverage varies significantly:
- App Off: Only the driver’s personal insurance applies.
- App On, No Ride Accepted: Uber provides limited liability coverage ($50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident).
- Ride Accepted or Passenger Onboard: Uber provides up to $1 million in liability coverage, plus contingent collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
A specialized attorney will know how to pinpoint the phase the driver was in at the time of your accident and fight to access the maximum available coverage.
Hawaii’s No-Fault System Adds Another Layer
Hawaii is a no-fault state, meaning your own insurance company will typically cover your medical bills up to $10,000, regardless of who was at fault. However, if your injuries are severe (involving permanent disability, disfigurement, or more than $5,000 in medical expenses), you may step outside of the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury claim.
Combining Hawaii’s no-fault rules with Uber’s shifting liability system requires experience and strategy. A local attorney who regularly handles rideshare cases knows how to work within both frameworks to protect your rights.
Island-Specific Challenges That Outsiders May Not Understand – And How an Experienced Local Firm Can Help
At Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, we’re proud to serve our communities across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. We understand the island context of Uber accidents in a way that attorneys from the mainland (or even other parts of the state) often don’t.
Some unique local factors include:
- Tourism: Many rideshare passengers are visitors unfamiliar with our roads. When an accident happens, they may face extra hurdles if they’re heading back to the mainland or abroad.
- Traffic conditions: Dense areas like the H-1 corridor, Ala Moana Boulevard, or Piʻikoi Street can lead to high-speed or multi-vehicle accidents involving rideshare drivers rushing between pickups.
- Community care: Hawaiʻi values pono (righteousness), kuleana (responsibility), and aloha (compassion). We treat our clients like family, with the understanding and respect that our island communities deserve.
The Toll on Victims Can Be Life-Changing
An Uber accident can leave you with serious injuries: head trauma, broken bones, spinal injuries, and emotional trauma are all common in high-impact rideshare collisions. And while Uber’s corporate attorneys and insurers work hard to limit their payouts, your needs may be just beginning, from long-term medical care to lost wages and emotional distress.
When you’re hurt, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to turn, you shouldn’t have to navigate a corporate insurance battle alone. You deserve a law firm that not only knows the law but also knows how to listen and fight for your future.
What a Specialized Uber Accident Lawyer Will Do for You
At Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, we bring decades of experience to every rideshare case we take on. Here’s how we support our clients:
- Investigating the crash and securing rideshare app data
- Identifying all potential sources of liability and insurance
- Communicating directly with Uber’s insurance and legal teams
- Calculating full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more
- Taking your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered
Most importantly, we care. We’ve stood beside families from Kahului to Kaneohe, from Lihue to Hilo, and we know how hard it is to deal with a life-changing accident. We’ll walk with you every step of the way with transparency, compassion, and strength.
Contact a Specialized Uber Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in an Uber accident in Hawaiʻi, don’t wait to get legal help. We’re available 24 hours a day, and the call is always free.
Call us at 808-210-3252 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you get the care, support, and compensation you need to move forward.