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Hawaii driving lesson · Crashes & Insurance

What to do after a crash

A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Crashes & Insurance
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
52, 53

Even a minor crash comes with legal duties: stop, help, warn traffic, exchange information and report. Knowing the steps in order keeps you calm and keeps you legal.

$3,000

Crashes with injury to any extent, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more must be reported to police immediately

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Know the rule

Report by the quickest means of communication.

Handbook p. 52 ↗

If you are involved in a crash:

  • 1. Stop immediately; if possible move your vehicle off the traveled part of the road
  • 2. Help the injured and call the nearest police agency (ask for an ambulance if needed)
  • 3. Warn passing traffic – have someone warn approaching cars
  • 4. Exchange information with the others involved
  • 5. If you hit an unattended vehicle or other property, locate or notify the owner
Handbook p. 52 ↗

Know the rule

Never leave the scene of a crash without identifying yourself and rendering assistance.

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Helping the injured:

  • Act promptly but carefully
  • Don't move the injured unnecessarily – unskilled handling can worsen injuries
  • Keep the injured warm until skilled help arrives
  • Stop severe bleeding with direct pressure
  • Protect the victim from oncoming traffic
Handbook p. 52 ↗

Know the rule

Give your name, address and vehicle registration information, and show your driver's license if asked, to anyone injured and to the driver, occupant or attendant of any damaged vehicle or property.

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Know the rule

If you strike an unattended vehicle, stop and find the owner or leave a written notice with your name, address and the circumstances of the crash.

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Know the rule

Keep a flashlight and flares in your vehicle for emergency use.

Handbook p. 52 ↗

Financial responsibility law

Financial responsibility law
WhoWhat you must do
Drivers in crashes with death, injury or damage over $3,000Report to police and insurer; file SR-21
People convicted of certain vehicle offensesFile SR-22; keep proof 3 years from conviction
Anyone who doesn't complyDriver's license will be suspended
Handbook p. 53 ↗
3 years

How long to maintain proof of financial responsibility after a conviction for certain vehicle offenses

Handbook p. 53 ↗

SR-21 / SR-22

SR-21 is the evidence of insurance filed after a reportable crash. SR-22 is the evidence of insurance filed after conviction for certain vehicle offenses.

Handbook p. 53 ↗

Put it into practice

Backing out at a store, you dent a parked car and can't find its owner. You may not just drive off. Leave a written note with your name, address and what happened where the owner will find it.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

A traffic crash must be reported to police immediately if it involves injury, death, or property damage of at least:
  1. $3,000
  2. $5,000
  3. $500
  4. $1,000

Answer: $3,000

Crashes with injury, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more must be reported immediately.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
If you're involved in a crash, the first thing you should do is:
  1. Exchange insurance information
  2. Call your insurance company
  3. Stop immediately and move off the road if possible
  4. Move any injured people to your car

Answer: Stop immediately and move off the road if possible

You must stop immediately and move your vehicle off the traveled roadway if possible.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
When helping crash victims, you should:
  1. avoid moving them unnecessarily
  2. move them to the roadside right away
  3. sit them up to help them breathe
  4. give them water to drink

Answer: avoid moving them unnecessarily

Avoid unnecessary movement of the injured; keep them warm until help arrives.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
If you strike an unattended parked vehicle and can't find the owner, you must:
  1. wait exactly one hour before leaving
  2. leave a written notice with your name, address, and what happened
  3. wait at the scene until police arrive
  4. report it at your next license renewal

Answer: leave a written notice with your name, address, and what happened

You must leave a written notice with your name, address, and the crash circumstances.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
At a crash scene, drivers must exchange:
  1. only phone numbers
  2. name, address, and vehicle registration information
  3. only insurance company names
  4. nothing unless police request it

Answer: name, address, and vehicle registration information

Drivers must give their name, address and vehicle registration information, and show their license if requested.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
At a crash scene, you must exhibit your driver's license to:
  1. only a police officer
  2. only the other driver's insurer
  3. any injured person or damaged-property owner who asks
  4. only the other driver

Answer: any injured person or damaged-property owner who asks

You must show your license to any injured person or damaged-property owner who requests it.

Handbook p. 52 ↗
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