About Auto Accident and Injury Damages

Damages which an auto accident victim and a DUI crash victim may recover in civil court include (but are not limited to):

• Lost wages from having to take time off work to recover or to attend medical appointments and therapy.

• Out of pocket medical expenses.

• The cost of damages needed to compensate for loss of property.

• Damages for pain and suffering.

• And in many cases, punitive damages.

Punitive damages in a DUI crash case are in addition to the damages needed to compensate. These damages are intended to punish the DUI driver because DUI is an intentional criminal choice. Almost all DUI crash cases provide the opportunity to claim punitive damages. However, the jury has discretion on whether to award such damages and it may consider all of the facts and circumstances of the case as well as the financial resources of the DUI driver.

It is very important to always consult with an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement from a bodily injury liability insurer on an auto accident or DUI crash case. Insurance companies look out for their own best interests, NOT YOURS! And any settlement they may offer, might not fully take into account the punitive damages (since these are not covered under the liability insurance policy) and may otherwise fail to compensate you fairly for any permanent injuries. You need to know the assets of the drunk driver and owner of the motor vehicle driven DUI. There is no requirement that you fully release each and every person involved in the DUI crash (sometimes it may be best to release the owner of the vehicle driven DUI but not the DUI driver; you may want to release only compensatory damages and proceed with a punitive damages claim).

Since all wrongful death suits will differ based on the specific circumstances, your wrongful death attorney must properly determine what compensation each family member may be able to seek as a result of the wrongful death of a loved one, which often include, but may not be limited to:

• Lost future earnings;

• Medical and Funeral Expenses;

• Pain and Suffering;

• Loss of Companionship;

• Possible punitive damages.