Speeding tickets are often seen as routine violations. However, what starts as a citation in Hawaii can quickly escalate into something much more serious, such as an accident that causes injuries or even loss of life. At Recovery Law Center, we’ve seen the damage that traffic violations cause, especially when drivers fail to understand the consequences of going just a few miles over the speed limit.
This article helps you understand how speeding affects liability, how citations are used in court, and what to do if you’re injured in a crash involving a speeding driver. Our goal is to help injured individuals understand the process, from filing insurance claims to taking legal steps, after a crash caused by a speeding driver.
How Speeding Leads to Serious Accidents in Hawaii
Speeding is one of the most common causes of traffic accidents in Hawaii. While some see it as a minor moving violation, the truth is that speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react in time and increases the force of impact when a collision happens.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a factor in nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities, resulting in 11,775 deaths. For years, it has been linked to about a third of fatal crashes, playing a major role not only in lives lost but also in the severity of injuries. Young men are especially at risk. Roughly, males aged 15–24 in fatal crashes were speeding. In Hawaii, the 5‑year average for 2019-2023 was 47 speeding-related deaths per year.
Exceeding the speed limit puts everyone at risk, such as:
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians
- Passengers
For example, going too fast around a curve or through a red light can cause rollovers or broadside collisions. These aren’t just property damage incidents. They often lead to serious injuries. Many drivers underestimate how quickly their behavior can turn a routine drive into a dangerous situation.
Whether it’s your first offense or not, a speeding violation should never be ignored. When speeding leads to a car crash, it can result in legal liability, insurance issues, or even criminal charges under Hawaii traffic law.
Speeding Tickets as Evidence in Personal Injury Cases
A speeding ticket is a serious consequence. In Hawaii, it can become a key piece of evidence in a personal injury case. If someone is involved in a crash and a law enforcement officer issues them a ticket for speeding, that citation can be used to show that they acted negligently. It may be submitted in court along with the officer’s notes and crash report.
Even if the negligent driver chooses to plead guilty or pay the fine using a pre-printed envelope, that decision may affect how a judge or insurance company views their case. The court’s decision in a traffic case is often referenced when assigning fault in a civil claim. In some cases, it may be harder to argue the at-fault party’s side if there’s a guilty plea or a record of moving violations on their driving history.
Speeding tickets also play a role in trial de novo proceedings and mitigation hearings. Even if the judge decides to reduce the fine or offer community service, the fact that a violation occurred remains part of your driving record and legal history.
Liability When Speeding Drivers Cause Accidents
When someone causes an accident due to speeding, they are often found liable for the resulting damages. In Hawaii, liability is typically based on negligence, meaning the at-fault driver failed to use reasonable care. Driving above the posted speed limit is a clear example of careless behavior. In some cases, it may even be classified as reckless driving, which can bring heavier penalties and fines.
If a speeding driver hits another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, the injured person can file a personal injury claim. In these cases, the traffic ticket helps prove that the driver was not following the traffic law at the time of the crash. That ticket, combined with written statements from witnesses and police reports, can be strong evidence.
Liability also impacts insurance claims and out-of-pocket costs. If found guilty, the speeding driver may be responsible for medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. In certain situations, repeated offenses or serious injuries can result in license suspension or a criminal charge under Hawaii’s traffic crimes statutes.
Insurance Complications After Speeding-Related Crashes
After a speeding-related crash, insurance companies review everything: the accident report, the ticket, and the driver’s history. Even a first offense can lead to insurance rate hikes. If the driver is found at fault, their premiums may increase sharply, especially if you already have prior traffic violations or accidents on your record.
Insurance companies may also challenge coverage. If the crash involved reckless driving or excessive speeding, they may deny the claims or limit the amount they’ll pay. For serious cases involving injury or DUI, coverage could be dropped altogether. For victims, the process of getting fair compensation becomes harder when the at-fault driver’s policy refuses to pay.
Some drivers are surprised when their insurer raises rates even after they have attended traffic school or completed a defensive driving course. That’s because the presence of a speeding ticket tied to an accident marks them as a higher risk. Keeping a driver’s record clean and addressing any violations quickly can help, but the impact on insurance can still last for years.
What To Do After a Speeding-Related Crash
If you’ve been in an accident caused by speeding, there are a few immediate steps that can protect you both legally and financially.
- Call the police. A law enforcement officer will respond, document the scene, and issue any necessary citations as needed. This official report becomes important evidence.
- If you’re injured, even slightly, get medical attention right away. These records may be used in a claim later.
- Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
- Avoid discussing fault at the scene. Leave that for your legal representative or insurance adjuster.
When Speeding Becomes Reckless Driving
In Hawaii, excessive speeding can lead to a charge of reckless driving. This traffic crime is more serious than a basic speeding ticket. If you’re caught going 20 mph or more over the speed limit, especially in a residential zone or near schools, you may be charged with reckless driving.
Reckless driving is viewed as a disregard for the safety of others. If a speeding driver causes a crash, the victim may seek justice through both civil and criminal proceedings. The offender could face not only fines and court hearings but also:
- Jail time
- Community service
- License suspension
- Increased insurance premiums
Though some drivers attempt to reduce their charges, the impact on the victim remains. Traffic school or defensive driving might help the driver’s case, but when injury or property damage occurs, these measures don’t erase the harm done or the record of the offense.
The Legal Process After a Speeding Accident
The legal process following a speeding-related crash can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the presence of injuries. While the driver who caused the accident typically must attend district court for a hearing, the outcome of that case affects your path to recovery. During the hearing, the driver may plead guilty, request a mitigation hearing, or seek a trial de novo.
If the driver is found guilty or pleads guilty, they may face penalties. Their conviction will be recorded, which could influence insurance and liability matters. Even if they contest the charge, the officer’s report and original citation remain part of the record.
As an injury victim, you may have a civil case running alongside the traffic proceedings. The findings from traffic court often help support your personal injury claim by establishing fault. At Recovery Law Center, we guide injured clients through this process and explain how the traffic court outcome may strengthen your compensation case.
How Recovery Law Center Helps Victims of Speeding Accidents
Speeding often leads to crashes, injuries, and financial consequences. A citation may be issued, but the deeper concern is the harm it causes to innocent people. A ticket is a warning — but when it leads to a collision, that moment could change a life..
Recovery Law Center is here to help if you’re injured due to someone else’s speeding. Whether the at-fault driver received a Hawaii traffic ticket or was charged with reckless driving, our role is to guide injured clients through the legal system, insurance process, and the compensation claim process. We examine traffic violations, insurance complications, and liability factors to build a strong case. Our team addresses the consequences that truly matter: your recovery, medical expenses, and full accountability under Hawaii traffic law.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a speeding driver, call us at (808) 374-5174 or schedule a free consultation online. We’ll review the accident report, talk through your injuries, and walk you through steps after the court’s decision.
