Honolulu Attorneys Get Results in Drunk Driving Accidents
Aggressive representation of accident victims throughout the state of Hawaii
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States in 2013, and the percentages were higher in Hawaii. If you are the victim of a drunk driver, or if you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal accident, Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Since 1973, our firm has built a solid reputation for professionalism, ethical practice and responsive client service. We are determined to deliver the best result possible in your case.
Hawaii’s fight to reduce drunk driving
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that from 2003 to 2012, 484 persons were killed in drunk driving accidents in Hawaii, and our state was above the national average in rate of deaths per 100,000 population. However, Hawaii has taken aggressive steps toward eliminating drunk driving, including the 2011 passage of an ignition interlock law for all first-time convicted drunk drivers. Due in part to this legislation, drunk driving deaths have dropped by 23 percent.
In Hawaii, a person who is injured by a driver “operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant” can seek compensation for accident-related losses:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitative costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
The drunk driver will likely face criminal prosecution. In addition to your compensatory damages, you may also be awarded punitive damages.
What to do if you think the driver who hit you is impaired
Emotions can run high after a serious accident, but it’s even worse when a drunk driver is at fault. You may feel angry and tempted towards a physical altercation. Or, you might fear being attacked yourself. Remember, intoxicated people are unpredictable. Do not engage with a drunk driver. What you should do is:
- Stay in your car, unless you have to leave for reasons of safety
- Call the police. When they arrive, alert them of your suspicions
- Drunk drivers may flee the scene of an accident if their car is not disabled. Record any identifying information you can, such as the car’s license number and a description of the driver
- Tend to your injuries and those of your passengers
- Stay calm and wait for help
The moments immediately after an accident require calm, deliberate action to prevent further injury. You will have time to seek justice later, and our attorneys will be happy to help.
Contact our respected personal injury law firm in Honolulu
Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law provides high-quality legal representation in vehicle accident cases. To schedule a free consultation, call 808.524.1433 or contact us online. We assist clients on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we recover compensation through a settlement or jury award. We offer evening and weekend appointments as necessary, and our staff speaks Japanese, Korean and Tagalog.
