1. Bostwick & Associates
Practice Focus: Personal injury litigation, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, birth injuries, and product liability cases.
Case Types Handled: Auto and truck collisions, catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries from crashes, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death claims arising from fatal accidents, pedestrian accidents, and accidents involving defective vehicles or parts.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, civil litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, expert witness coordination, medical record analysis, demand letter preparation, discovery and deposition management, jury trial advocacy, and appellate representation.
Background: James S. Bostwick is the founding attorney with decades of trial experience. The firm has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients and holds record-setting recoveries in multiple states. James Bostwick is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the U.S.), former President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (limited to the top 500 trial lawyers in the U.S.), inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame among the Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America, listed in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, member of American Board of Trial Advocates (Hawaii Chapter), nationally certified medical malpractice specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 1983, Super Lawyers 2025, and Best Law Firms 2025. Notable result: $21,000,000 verdict for a 56-year-old woman injured when her car was struck by a truck.
Location: 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96813
Contact: (808) 320-5024 | https://www.hawaiipersonalinjuryfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained).
2. Recovery Law Center
Practice Focus: Personal injury claims, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, moped accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, ridesharing accidents, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, distracted driving accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving crashes, hit-and-run incidents, drowsy driving accidents, catastrophic injuries including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, broken bone injuries, and wrongful death claims from motor vehicle accidents.
Legal Services: Insurance claim filing and negotiation, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims assistance, liability claim investigation, evidence collection and preservation, police report analysis, witness statement gathering, medical record coordination, settlement negotiation, litigation and trial representation, and contingency fee representation.
Background: Glenn T. Honda is the founding attorney with 25 years of experience representing personal injury victims throughout Hawaii. The firm has been recognized with numerous awards including Hawaii’s Best 2025, Best of Hawaii 2024, Super Lawyers selection, National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Lawyers of Distinction, AVVO 10.0 rating, and American Jurist Institute Top 10 Attorneys recognition. The firm employs a nurse on staff to assist with complex injury cases and provides services in multiple languages including Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Additional attorneys include George C. Alejandro, James H. Monma, and David Kwon.
Location: 770 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 111, Honolulu, HI 96813
Contact: (808) 427-3088 | (808) 597-8888 | https://recoverylawcenterhawaii.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; contingency fee basis (no upfront costs, no fee unless case is won); virtual consultations available.
3. Davis Levin Livingston
Practice Focus: Personal injury, medical malpractice, birth injuries, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, sexual abuse victim representation, premises liability, class actions, consumer rights, and civil rights cases.
Case Types Handled: Auto accidents, catastrophic injury cases, fatal car accidents, medical negligence during accident treatment, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death arising from motor vehicle collisions.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, complex civil litigation, trial representation, expert medical consultation, class action coordination, settlement negotiation, jury trial advocacy, and appellate practice.
Background: The firm has been serving Hawaii for over 40 years and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients. Mark S. Davis and Michael K. Livingston are the founding partners. The firm achieved the largest single compensatory personal injury judgment in Hawaii ($80 million settlement against Kamehameha School), the highest malpractice judgment in the United States against a military hospital, and the highest sexual harassment settlement in Hawaii. The firm has a medical director and advanced practice nurse on staff. Attorneys have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Hawaii Super Lawyers, Inner Circle of Advocates, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, and Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. The firm has been featured on ABC News, Good Morning America, and Justice in America by CBS. Best Law Firms 2025 and Best Law Firms 2026 recognition.
Location: 745 Fort Street, Suite 1550, Honolulu, HI 96813
Contact: (808) 740-0633 | https://www.davislevin.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation; no fees unless recovery is obtained; available 24/7 by phone.
4. Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle and moped accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, brain injury, spinal cord injury, burn injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, construction and worksite accidents, slip and fall accidents, swimming pool accidents, and product liability.
Case Types Handled: All types of motor vehicle collisions, catastrophic auto accidents resulting in severe spinal cord and brain injuries, fatal car accidents, drunk driving crashes, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and wrongful death cases.
Legal Services: Insurance claim assistance, police report acquisition, evidence preservation, witness coordination, liability investigation, PIP claims management, settlement negotiation, civil litigation, trial representation, and wrongful death claim coordination.
Background: The firm has been serving Hawaii residents and visitors for more than 40 years and is recognized as one of the established law firms in Hawaii. The team includes attorneys James T. Leavitt, John D. Yamane, Woody Soldner, Mike Cruise, Aaron Creps, Nicole Kalakau, Stuart Kodish, Rafael Renteria, Elena Kau’i Yamane, and Joan Tuers. Notable case results include $1,250,000, $2,000,000, and $2,000,000 car accident recoveries. The firm serves clients on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Hawaii Island.
Location: 737 Bishop Street, Suite 1740, Honolulu, HI 96813
Contact: (808) 537-2525 (New Case Inquiries) | (808) 521-7474 (Main Office) | https://lyslaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; contingency fee arrangement.
5. Daniel T. Pagliarini AAL
Practice Focus: Personal injury law, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death claims arising from motor vehicle collisions.
Case Types Handled: Auto accidents, truck collisions, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, and fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Legal Services: Insurance claim filing and negotiation, Personal Injury Protection claims assistance, liability determination, evidence gathering, medical expense documentation, lost wage calculations, pain and suffering claims, settlement negotiation, litigation, and trial representation.
Background: Daniel T. Pagliarini has nearly four decades (over 38 years) of experience representing Hawaii’s injured and their families. He graduated from Suffolk University Law School and attended U.H. Richardson School of Law. Attorney Pagliarini has been recognized by clients and peers for professional excellence in personal injury law and has helped clients collect full compensation for their injury claims. He serves clients on all Hawaiian islands from his Honolulu office.
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (serves all Hawaiian islands)
Contact: (808) 536-2226 | https://injurylawhawaii.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered; contingency fee basis.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Hawaii
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 431:10C-315 provides that personal injury lawsuits arising from motor vehicle accidents must be filed within two years. The two-year period typically begins from the later of: (1) the date of the motor vehicle accident, (2) the date of the last payment of motor vehicle insurance benefits (PIP), or (3) the date of the last payment of workers’ compensation benefits arising from the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims arising from car accidents in Hawaii are also subject to a two-year statute of limitations under general tort law principles.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death, which may be different from the date of the accident if death occurs later due to accident-related injuries.
No-Fault Insurance State Status: Hawaii is a no-fault insurance state. Under the no-fault system, each driver’s own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers their medical expenses and certain other losses regardless of who caused the accident. The no-fault system applies to bodily injuries but does not apply to property damage, which remains fault-based.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence system under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 663-31. An injured person can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. If the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. If the injured party is 50% or less at fault, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the injured party is 25% at fault, recovery would be $75,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Hawaii requires the following minimum auto insurance coverage for vehicle registration:
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 per person for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages regardless of fault.
Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for injuries the insured driver causes to others.
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident for damage to others’ property.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements and Thresholds: All Hawaii drivers must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP covers medical expenses for the driver and passengers regardless of fault. Under Hawaii’s no-fault threshold, an injured person may only file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver if: (1) medical expenses exceed $5,000, or (2) the injuries result in significant permanent loss of use of a body part or function, significant permanent disfigurement, or death. These thresholds determine when an injured party can step outside the no-fault system to pursue additional compensation.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Hawaii law requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to policyholders. The minimum offered coverage is typically $20,000 per person. Policyholders may decline this coverage in writing, but it is strongly recommended. Hawaii permits stacking of UM/UIM coverage across multiple vehicles under certain circumstances.
Damage Caps: Hawaii imposes a cap of $375,000 on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases. There is no cap on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Punitive damages are generally available in cases involving egregious conduct but may be subject to judicial review for reasonableness.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Hawaii does not have a traditional dram shop statute that holds bars and restaurants liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause accidents. However, social hosts may face liability in certain circumstances involving minors.
Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Under Hawaii law, vehicle owners may be held vicariously liable for accidents caused by drivers operating the vehicle with the owner’s permission. This applies to family members, employees, and other permissive users.
Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability: Rental car companies in Hawaii are required to provide minimum insurance coverage to renters. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft must maintain liability coverage when drivers are engaged in rideshare activities. The coverage amount depends on whether the driver has the app on, is en route to a passenger, or has a passenger in the vehicle.
Medical Payment Coverage: Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage is optional in Hawaii and provides additional coverage for medical expenses beyond PIP limits, regardless of fault.
Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Hawaii recognizes claims against insurance companies for bad faith denial of benefits. Insurers have 30 days after a claim is submitted to pay it, deny it with written reasons, or request additional documentation. Unreasonable delays or denials may give rise to bad faith claims with potential recovery of attorney fees and costs.
Accident Reporting Requirements: In Hawaii, accidents must be reported to police if they result in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $3,000. Police reports provide critical documentation for insurance claims and litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Hawaii?
Hawaii law generally provides two years to file a personal injury lawsuit following a motor vehicle accident. However, the starting point for this period can vary. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 431:10C-315, the two-year period begins from the later of: the date of the accident, the date of the last PIP benefit payment, or the date of the last workers’ compensation payment related to the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death rather than the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically results in permanent dismissal of the case, making it critical to consult with an attorney promptly after an accident.
How does Hawaii’s no-fault insurance system affect my ability to sue after a car accident?
Hawaii’s no-fault system requires your own PIP insurance to cover your medical expenses up to $10,000 regardless of who caused the accident. This system limits your ability to sue the at-fault driver unless you meet specific thresholds. You may pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver only if your medical expenses exceed $5,000, or if your injuries result in significant permanent loss of use of a body part or function, significant permanent disfigurement, or death. If your claim falls below these thresholds, you are limited to recovering PIP benefits from your own insurer. Property damage claims remain fault-based and can be pursued against the at-fault driver regardless of injury severity.
What happens if I am partially at fault for a car accident in Hawaii?
Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 663-31. If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30% responsible for the accident, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party. This makes fault determination a critical issue in Hawaii car accident cases.
What are the steps to file a car accident claim in Hawaii?
After a car accident in Hawaii, you should take several important steps: (1) Call police and obtain an accident report, which is required for accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $3,000; (2) Seek medical evaluation, even if injuries seem minor, as some injuries have delayed symptoms; (3) Notify your own insurance company to file a PIP claim for medical expenses, as insurers have 30 days to process claims; (4) Document the accident by taking photographs and gathering witness contact information if possible; (5) Do not admit fault at the scene or to insurance adjusters; (6) Consult with a personal injury attorney, especially if injuries are serious or fault is disputed. If your claim exceeds PIP thresholds, your attorney can help pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance or file a civil lawsuit.
How do I file a claim against a government vehicle in Hawaii?
Claims against government entities in Hawaii, including accidents involving government-owned vehicles or public employees acting within the scope of employment, are subject to special procedures and shorter deadlines under the Hawaii State Tort Liability Act. You must file a written notice of claim with the appropriate government agency before filing a lawsuit. For claims against the State of Hawaii, notice must typically be given within two years, but the claim must be filed with the appropriate department. For claims against county governments, you must comply with county-specific notice requirements, which may require notice within six months to two years depending on the county. Failure to provide proper notice can bar your claim entirely. Additionally, government entities may have immunity from certain types of claims. Due to these procedural complexities, consulting with an attorney experienced in government liability claims is strongly recommended.