The ER doctor writes down what hurt and when it started. The insurance company reads that same chart looking for gaps, old injuries, and any excuse to say he waited too long. That is the raw truth. But being undocumented does not cancel a Hawaii injury claim.

What should have happened right after the crash: he should have gotten medical care, reported the crash, taken photos of the pothole and vehicle damage, and opened a claim right away. In Hawaii, every registered vehicle must carry at least 20/40/10 liability coverage, and the driver's own policy usually includes Personal Injury Protection for initial medical bills. If the pothole was on Farrington Highway in Waipahu, that may also point to a road-defect claim involving the Hawaii Department of Transportation or, on some roads, the City and County of Honolulu.

What to do now: do not let fear about immigration status freeze this any longer. Gather the crash report, ER records, follow-up records, photos of the tire, wheel, suspension damage, repair bills, and proof of where the crash happened. If an employer, supervisor, or anyone else threatened deportation to keep him quiet, save the texts, voicemails, and names. Threats do not erase his rights.

The deadline problem: Hawaii's general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years from the crash date. If this happened "last year," he may still be inside that window, but not for long. Waiting helps insurers because they can blame spring pothole damage, old wear, or a preexisting back or neck problem.

What comes next: the insurer will likely question why treatment was delayed and whether the pothole, not bad tires or prior damage, caused the wreck. A road agency may deny notice or responsibility. That does not mean the claim is dead. It means the records, timeline, and road location in Waipahu have to be nailed down now.