If you were hit by a car, you can obtain compensation. This compensation will, in most cases, take care of your medical bills, the time you lost at work, as well as the pain and suffering you sustained.
You can also receive punitive damages outside of those three things. Unlike those three other types of damages, punitive damages are designed to punish the driver for their illegal actions.
Having your accident reviewed by an attorney and learning more about possibly receiving punitive damages can help you better understand what fair compensation looks like for your case. For more information, you are welcome to speak with an experienced Redding, CA, automobile accident attorney at Maire & Deedon.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are damages awarded when the person responsible for a particular incident acted in a way that is considered especially harmful.
Just as an example, if you were hit by a driver who was driving while under the influence of alcohol, then you could be entitled to punitive damages.
The punitive damages would be used to punish the driver for their conduct, which, again, would be breaking the law by driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Unlike other forms of damages, punitive damages are not directly tied to the damages you sustained. They are tied to a person’s – almost always – illegal conduct and, as such, are awarded on top of regular damages.
What Different Types Of Car Accidents Support Punitive Damages?
A wide variety of different types of car accidents support punitive damages. Some of the most notable of these car accidents are as follows:
- Driving while under the influence.
- Racing in an illegal manner.
- Committing a hit-and-run.
- Speeding in an excessive manner.
Every single one of the above is considered illegal. As such, if you are hit by a car by someone engaged in one of these actions, you could be able to receive punitive damages.
How Can You Obtain Punitive Damages?
To obtain punitive damages, you can and should work with an attorney. Working with an attorney allows you to file a personal injury claim while building a good case.
Your case will clarify why, exactly, you are entitled to compensation. And, in turn, which damages you are entitled to; medical bills, for example, along with many others.
Right after these claims have been made and established, you can make another claim. This claim is as follows: the driver’s conduct was so egregious that punitive damages should be awarded.
Your attorney will help you make this claim. By doing so, you should be able to obtain punitive damages, especially if you can prove – or it has already been proven – that the driver acted illegally.
Speak With A Northern California Automobile Accident Attorney Today
If you were in a car accident and the person who hit you was doing something illegal, you are likely entitled to standard damages and, in turn, punitive damages.
Speak with a Northern California automobile accident attorney at Maire & Deedon today. We will help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to.