punitive damages

Despite decades of public safety campaigns on the dangers of drunk driving, statistics indicate that DUI accidents remain a significant problem. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV) reports almost 5,000 crashes involving an impaired driver every year. More than 350 people are killed in these incidents, and another 2,885 suffer injuries in DUI collisions, leading to significant losses for victims and their entire families.

Drunk driving is a crime, and it is charged as a felony in Florida when a person is killed or injured in a DUI accident. If you were hurt or lost a loved one, you may qualify for a special type of damages because of the at-fault party’s outrageously dangerous conduct. Punitive damages may be available in your case, which would increase the amount you can recover if you are eligible. You should discuss details with a Miami DUI accident attorney, but some basics about punitive damages can be informative.

How Punitive Damages Work

In most personal injury cases such as car accident injuries, truck accident injuries, and motorcycle accident injuries, the damages that are pursued by your Miami personal injury lawyer include restitution for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, there is another category of damages that goes beyond simply serving as a compensatory mechanism for the injured party. There is a special category of damages available that helps to make the injured party “whole” again and may be awarded to punish the at-fault party for their reckless and wanton conduct. This category of damages is known as punitive damages.

In Florida, punitive damages are also referred to as “exemplary damages.” As mentioned, these damages go beyond what is actually necessary to compensate you. They are meant to penalize the at-fault party if they committed gross negligence or caused intentional harm. They are awarded as a way to send a signal to the community at large that similar behavior will not be tolerated.

Punitive Damages Example

Articles Tagged with punitive damages

Punitive Damages in Florida DUI Accident Claims

Understanding Punitive Damages and How They Apply in Florida Personal Injury Cases