- A sense of closure and fairness.
- Needed compensation to pay for diminished earning capacity, lost wages, medical expenses and/or long-term care.
- A sense that, by seeking a resolution, a future drunk driving accident may have been prevented.
- Compensatory damages, which is awarded for actual harm and loss, such as pain, disability, expenses and wrongful death.
- Punitive damages, which are designed to punish negligent individuals and to deter others.