Honolulu Pedestrian Accident Attorneys: Get the Compensation You Deserve

Expert Legal Help for Pedestrian Injury Victims in Hawaii

For one of the top tourist destinations in the world, statistics show that Honolulu can be a surprisingly dangerous place to walk. Despite the gorgeous beaches and relaxed atmosphere of the islands, pedestrian accidents are regular occurrences in Hawaii. In fact, the AARP ranks Hawaii as the most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians 65 and older.

If you were injured or a loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for what occurred. Our firm has helped numerous clients successfully pursue personal injury cases, and we are ready to do the same for you. Reach out to the Hawaii pedestrian accident attorneys at Davis Levin Livingston to learn more.

Call (808) 740-0633 or submit an online contact form to request a free case evaluation. 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Honolulu

The most popular urban areas of Hawaii, such as Honolulu, fill regularly with thousands of pedestrians. At the same time, numerous people are traveling through the streets in cars and trucks. These drivers may be frustrated at the congestion and the crowds, distracted by their phones, late for work, or intoxicated. Although the reason for a pedestrian accident can vary widely, one thing remains true: if you are hit by a negligent or careless driver, you have the right to pursue legal action.

Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Shooting the Gap: When an opening finally comes in the traffic, some drivers will accelerate rapidly to take advantage of the opportunity to get ahead of other vehicles. Any pedestrian unfortunate enough to step out into the driver’s path is placed at risk of serious injury.
• Speeding: The faster a car is traveling the longer it takes to stop. Pedestrians may not even realize a car is speeding, depending on the vantage point and other visibility factors.
• Distracted Driving: Drivers (especially teenagers) can be distracted by any number of things—phone calls, texting, surfing the internet. Whatever the reason, driving while distracted is irresponsible and dangerous, and is responsible for an unsettling number of accidents.
• Turning across Crosswalks: Many pedestrians are hit while crossing at designated crosswalks, particularly at stoplights with walk signals. Turning right or left, drivers can easily hit pedestrians who have the right of way.
• Badly Designed Intersections: A badly designed intersection puts numerous people and drivers at risk on a regular basis. Pedestrians and drivers expect every intersection to be safe if used correctly, but this is not always the case.

Hawaii Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable when they walk along or near roadways, and nowhere is that made more apparent than when looking at pedestrian accident statistics. These stark figures illustrate just how dangerous something as simple as walking from point A to B can be, thanks in no small part to the carelessness of certain drivers.

Read on to learn more about the quantity and types of pedestrian accidents that occur in Hawaii and throughout the U.S.

Note: Statistics provided according to the most recent available data

2008–2012 Hawaii Pedestrian Accident Statistics

• 27 pedestrian deaths occurred in Hawaii in 2012
• Between 2008 and 2012, an average of 24 pedestrian deaths happened per year in Hawaii
• 68% of all victims were struck on Oahu
• FARS data from 2007–2010 shows that 31% pedestrian-related accidents occurred between 5:31 p.m. and 11:29 p.m.
• 34% of pedestrian victims were struck in crosswalks
• 35% of pedestrian victims were struck while crossing open roadways
• 45% of accidents that were pedestrian-related happened in speed zones of 25 mph
• 25% of pedestrian victims had blood alcohol levels (BAC) over 0.08 when hit
• 59% of crashes were determined to result from driver error
  • 38% of these drivers were being inattentive
  • 25% failed to honor right-of-way
  • 18% were speeding
• In 2012, 565 pedestrians were injured
• 77% of victims were brought to the emergency room
• 23% of victims with non-fatal injuries still ended up in the hospital
• 72% of patients were Honolulu County residents
• 89% of all pedestrian incidents involved motor vehicles
• Preliminary data shows that 17 pedestrian deaths occurred between January and June 2014
• Maps compiled from Oahu pedestrian accident locations show that Honolulu has the highest concentration of pedestrian accidents
• The area around the Ala Moana Center and Keeaumoku Street were “hot spots” for accidents

2013 U.S. Pedestrian Accident Statistics

• 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in 2013
• These deaths accounted for 14% of all traffic accident-related deaths
• 73% of all pedestrian fatalities happened in urban areas
• Most deaths (69%) occurred at non-intersection areas
• 72% of deaths happened at night
• 21% of children under the age of 14 who died in traffic-related accidents were pedestrians
• 69% of killed pedestrians were men
• The fatality rate for male pedestrians compared to females was over twice as high — 2.09 versus 0.92 per 100,000 people
• 92% of all pedestrian fatalities involved crashes with a single vehicle
• Pedestrians were far more likely to be killed by being struck with the front of a car than the rear or sides
• Large vehicles with low visibility like trucks and buses had the highest rate of right-side pedestrian impacts
• A fifth of all killed pedestrians were struck by drivers that performed a hit-and-run

2012 U.S. Pedestrian Accident Statistics

• 4,818 pedestrians died in traffic-related accidents in 2012 throughout the U.S.
• An additional 76,000 people were injured
• When averaging out the time in a year, these two figures equate to:
  • A pedestrian dying every 2 hours
  • A pedestrian getting injured every 7 minutes
• A pedestrian is 1.5 times more likely to die than a vehicle’s passenger when either leaves the house
• 20% of all killed pedestrians were age 65 or older
• 48% of pedestrian-related traffic accidents involved alcohol
  • 34% of pedestrians had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) at or above 0.08, the legal limit for being intoxicated
  • 14% of drivers had BACs at or above 0.08
• Most pedestrian deaths happen at night along non-intersection stretches of road and in urban areas

Pedestrian laws in Hawaii

Hawaii has a number of laws in place to protect pedestrians, in addition to the basic traffic laws that all automobile driver are expected to follow. The Hawaii state website has a Pedestrian Guidelines page, some of which include:

• Drivers must STOP and yield the right of way to a pedestrian that is in a crosswalk, including when the pedestrian is approaching the half of the road where the vehicle is traveling.
• Pedestrians are not allowed to walk into crosswalks when there is any immediate danger of getting hit by a vehicle, such as when a car is in the crosswalk or when it is going to within the crosswalk soon.
• Pedestrians are only allowed to cross the road at marked crosswalks. This rule is important to both visitors and residents of Hawaii to help prevent unnecessary pedestrian accidents.
• If crossing at a crosswalk is not an option, such as in a rural area, pedestrians shall always yield to oncoming vehicles. Only cross when it is safe to do so.
• Pedestrians are not allowed to cross an intersection diagonally unless the crosswalk instructs them to do so.

If you have walked anywhere else in the United States, the pedestrian street signs are easy to recognize. A crosswalk that does not have a stoplight will be marked by a walking person, and a crosswalk with a stoplight will feature an automated walk signal. When you see the sign of a walking person (and sometimes hear an audio recording saying “walk”) you can cross. A flashing hand indicates that you should continue crossing if you have already started, but do not start if you are still on one side of the street. A solid hand indicates that you should stop for your own safety and the safety of others.

Honolulu's Pedestrian Accident Hotspots: Staying Safe in Tourist Areas

When an area is used heavily by both pedestrians and automobiles, the likelihood of pedestrian accidents goes up significantly. Both Honolulu and Waikiki are hubs of tourism, for instance, which makes them hotspots for pedestrian accidents. But a pedestrian accident can happen anywhere in the state where cars and people come together. It only takes one mistake for someone to be seriously injured.

Establishing Fault in Pedestrian Accidents

To win a pedestrian accident case, you need to prove that another party was at fault for what happened. Our firm has extensive experience in a variety of personal injury cases, which means we understand what it takes to establish fault following an accident. Whatever the circumstances of the accident, we can help you demonstrate to the court that the other party was responsible. Through investigation, witness testimony, and sound arguments, we can make certain the court is clear on what happened to you.

There may also be several parties at fault in the accident beyond the individual driving the car. If the intersection is designed poorly or visibility is not properly maintained, the municipality may be at fault as well.

Why Choose Davis Levin Livingston for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

It is important to keep in mind that if the courts in Honolulu believe that you as a pedestrian share any of the blame for the accident, the driver of the car may only have to pay part of your medical bills. Even if there is no fault on your part, the insurance company of the driver will usually only pay for your medical care, not for all of the additional costs associated with the accident—lost work, ongoing medical care, pain and suffering.

A successful pedestrian accident case will ensure that you get all the compensation you deserve, not just what the insurance company decides is fair. With proper compensation, you can take care of yourself and your family and move on with your life.

At Davis Levin Livingston, we want to help you get the compensation you are entitled to. If you or a loved one has been in a pedestrian accident, please contact us now to schedule a free consultation. We can quickly tell you what your legal options are and how to move forward with your case.

Contact a Trusted Honolulu Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today(808) 740-0633.

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