According to reports, a 38-year -old man has recently settled his personal injury case with the city of Honolulu for $11.4M after he sustained serious personal injuries when crossing an intersection within a crosswalk. The man attempted to cross the street at the corner of Waipio Uka and Lelepua Streets. The lawsuit asserts that no cars were visible when he entered the crosswalk. He had successfully made it across three of the four lanes when he was struck by a vehicle and paralyzed forever. The driver stated that he didn't see the pedestrian until it was too late.
Representatives of the injured man noted that his injuries could have been prevented and placed the blame on the city for failing to follow its own laws designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The Honolulu City Charter mandates the use of ”complete streets" principles when a street is repaved or improved in an effort to make Honolulu a more “pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city.” However, when the street was redone in 2014, no adjustments were made to the location of the crosswalk to determine whether its position was safe and whether the addition of flashing lights or signage may have been warranted. According to the lawsuit, the city failed to address safety concerns. Representatives also note that they do not blame the driver in this case, rather the city for failing to take steps to protect pedestrians as mandated by law.
If you have been injured due to the condition of a roadway such as inadequate signage, lack of sidewalk placing you in harm’s way, poor maintenance or as here, a dangerous crosswalk, the person or entity responsible for that stretch of street may be held liable for roadway negligence. For more information or if you or a loved one have suffered any type of pedestrian injury, please contact the dedicated Hawaii personal injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
