Depending on the circumstances of the wreck, the injured victim could recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to the victim of an accident when the at-fault party was acting not just negligently, but in an egregious or extremely reckless manner. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the negligent party and to deter others from acting in a similar manner. It is imperative to understand that punitive damages are rarely awarded. An example of a case that may warrant punitive damages is if the at-fault driver was driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.