When you are injured in an accident, there are some costs that you will incur.  Medical bills will add up quickly and if you are not able to work, you will experience a drop in income.  These are some of the many factors that are considered when determining the damages in your accident case.

There are basically two types of damages available in personal injury cases – compensatory and punitive (non-compensatory).  Compensatory damages are supposed to provide compensation for your medical bills, legal fees, lost income and pain and suffering.  With compensatory damages, the goal is to reimburse you for various aspects associated with your accident.

Punitive damages are meant to deter the defendant from committing a similar action.  These damages are designed to punish the defendant for egregiously breaching a contract or law.  Punitive damages tend to set an example for other companies or individuals and are not rewarded often.  The majority of judgments only include compensatory damages.