What types of damages are available in a car accident case?

In Massachusetts, car accident victims are usually entitled to two types of damages when they file a claim: compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse the victim for any losses they may have suffered from the accident, and can include costs for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are not meant to compensate for any losses, but rather to punish the person responsible for the accident and to serve as a deterrent against similar behavior from happening in the future. Compensatory damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those losses that can be measured in a dollar amount, such as medical bills or lost wages. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are not readily quantifiable, and can involve things such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. Punitive damages are meant to punish the party responsible for the accident and to act as a deterrent to similar behavior. In Massachusetts, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is not to financially reward an accident victim, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and to send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

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What types of damages are available in a car accident case?

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