What to do after a car accident in Hawaii
Every rule below is quoted from Hawaii law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
No fault state
The short answer
Hawaii is a no-fault state. Every driver must carry personal injury protection insurance that pays medical bills after a crash no matter who caused it, and the law limits when you can sue the other driver in court. A driver in a Hawaii crash must immediately notify the nearest police officer, by the fastest means available, if anyone is injured or killed, or if total property damage appears to reach $3,000 or more. You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries.
Deadlines in Hawaii
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesHRS §657-7
- 2 years
- to sue for car or property damageHRS §657-7
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathHRS §663-3
- 2 years
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedHRS §662-4
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
After a crash causing only property damage, drivers must stop at or as close to the scene as possible and stay there until they exchange information. In any crash, drivers must give their name, address and license plate number, show their license if asked, and give reasonable help to anyone hurt, including arranging a ride to a hospital if needed.
“shall render to any person injured in the collision reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of the person to a physician”
When you must call the police
A driver in a Hawaii crash must immediately notify the nearest police officer, by the fastest means available, if anyone is injured or killed, or if total property damage appears to reach $3,000 or more.
“a collision resulting in injury or death of any person or total damage to all property to an apparent extent of $3,000 or more”
Moving your car out of traffic
Hawaii does not have a specific law requiring drivers to move driveable cars out of traffic after a minor crash. The law only says that when a driver stops for a property-damage-only collision, the stop itself should not block traffic more than necessary.
“Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
Separate from calling police at the scene, Hawaii requires the driver to file a written accident report with the chief of police within 24 hours when a crash causes injury, death, or more than $3,000 in property damage. If the driver cannot file it, an occupant or the registered owner must do so.
“shall at the earliest practical time, and in any event within twenty-four hours after the accident, report the matter in writing or in person to the chief of police”
Getting a copy of the crash report
Hawaii has no state highway patrol. Crash reports are handled by the county police department for the island where the crash happened. On Oahu, you can request a copy from the Honolulu Police Department Records Division by email, mail, or in person once the investigation is complete and the case is closed.
“The cost for a report copy is $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page.”
Who pays for the damage
Hawaii is a no-fault state. Every driver must carry personal injury protection insurance that pays medical bills after a crash no matter who caused it, and the law limits when you can sue the other driver in court.
“Compensate these damages without regard to fault”
Insurance rules in Hawaii
What insurance every driver must carry
Hawaii drivers must carry at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, plus $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.
“Liability coverage of not less than $20,000 per person, with an aggregate limit of $40,000 per accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Hawaii requires every driver to keep their car insured at all times, and every motor vehicle policy must include no-fault personal injury protection benefits of at least $10,000 per person for medical and related expenses from a crash.
“Personal injury protection benefits shall be subject to an aggregate limit of $10,000 per person for services provided under this section.”
When you can sue the other driver
You can only sue the other driver for pain and suffering if the crash caused death, a significant permanent loss of a body part or its use, permanent serious disfigurement, or medical bills of $5,000 or more. Lawsuits over vehicle or property damage are always allowed.
“personal injury protection benefits incurred by such person equal or exceed $5,000”
If the other driver has no insurance
Hawaii insurers must include uninsured motorist coverage, matching the bodily injury liability limits, unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered the same way. Stacking of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage across vehicles is generally not allowed.
“the coverage required under this paragraph shall not be applicable where any named insured in the policy shall reject the coverage in writing”
Medical payments coverage
Hawaii does not separately require medical payments coverage. The mandatory no-fault personal injury protection coverage already pays medical bills after a crash regardless of fault, up to $10,000 per person, and insurers may offer additional coverage on top of that amount.
“Personal injury protection benefits shall be subject to an aggregate limit of $10,000 per person for services provided under this section.”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
To complain about an insurance company in Hawaii, contact the state Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs by phone or through its online complaint form.
“We encourage consumers to speak with an Insurance Division investigator before filing a complaint with the division.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries.
“Actions for the recovery of compensation for damage or injury to persons or property shall be instituted within two years after the cause of action accrued”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit over vehicle or property damage.
“Actions for the recovery of compensation for damage or injury to persons or property shall be instituted within two years after the cause of action accrued”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death lawsuit from a fatal crash must be filed within 2 years of the date of death.
“Any action brought under this section shall be commenced within two years from the date of death of the injured person, except as otherwise provided.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
Hawaii does not require a separate notice of claim before suing the state over a crash involving a state vehicle or a state-maintained road. A lawsuit against the state is barred unless it is filed within 2 years after the claim arises.
“A tort claim against the State shall be forever barred unless action is begun within two years after the claim accrues”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- HRS §431:10C-102(a)(2)
- HRS §431:10C-103.5(c)
- HRS §431:10C-306(b)(4)
- HRS §663-31(a)
- HRS §657-7
- HRS §663-3
- HRS §662-4
- HRS §291C-16(a)
- HRS §287-4
- HRS §431:10C-301(b)(1)
- HRS §291C-14(a)
- HRS §291C-13
- Honolulu Police Department, Records Unit
- Hawaii Insurance Division, DCCA
- Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(d)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.