Punitive Damages After a Motorcycle Accident

After being injured in a motorcycle accident, many people seek compensatory damages and suffering that they endured. But punitive damages do not make up the compensatory damages of an accident – but rather, it is money awarded that is simply meant to punish the at-fault party when their conduct went beyond plain negligence. For instance, if a drunk driver purposely and seriously injured a motorcyclist, that would be considered more than negligence, and the motorcyclist could likely seek punitive damages.

Compensatory damages would include damages to your car, pain and suffering, medical bills, and more. One would most likely be entitled to compensatory damages in a traffic accident with injuries or car damage. Punitive damages are not always applicable, though, since the at-fault party may be found to be merely negligent in their actions. However, when they are guilty of more than simple negligence, perhaps if it were a purposeful or conscious act that resulted in an accident, then you may be entitled to punitive damages.

It is important to consider that states vary on if they award punitive damages or not, as well as to which kind of cases that they are awarded. With respect to motorcycle accidents in Illinois, punitive damages can be sought, since they are permitted in actions involving bodily injury or physical damage to property. Some states also limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded. Illinois caps the damages to no more than 3 times your economic damages. The amount awarded can be determined by the severity of the harm to the victim and the motorcycle, the nature of the defendant’s conduct, and the risk posed if they are not punished. There are other factors that may be considered depending on the case.

In any case, it can be unsettling to know that the other party consciously acted in a harmful manner towards you. These punitive damages are meant to relive some of your worries and bring justice to this event. An accident alone causes more than enough damage to you, so when there is intentional harm done, our goal is to bring justice to the other party in addition to helping you.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, email us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.