(a) Any person bringing an action in tort under this article who was uninsured at the time of the accident shall pay a fee of $1,000 in lieu of any fine which could have been levied as a criminal penalty for failing to obtain the motor vehicle insurance coverage required by this article.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-118

  • Motor vehicle: means any vehicle of a type required to be registered under chapter 286, including a trailer attached to such a vehicle, but not including motorcycles and motor scooters. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-103
  • Person: means , when appropriate to the context, not only individuals, but corporations, firms, associations, and societies. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-103
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(b) The fee required under subsection (a) shall be paid by the person directly, or deducted from any settlement or verdict received, or both.
(c) No person shall be required to pay the fee in subsection (a) if the person can show proof of having been convicted in a prior criminal proceeding for failing to have motor vehicle insurance coverage on the date of the accident which is the subject of the tort action.