Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant. These damages have little to do with the plaintiff—they are only awarded to punish the defendant, as well as deter anybody else from acting negligently. After a car accident case, an injured person could recover both economic and noneconomic losses, but it may be more difficult to be awarded punitive damages depending on the facts of the case. Drinking and driving or cellphone use could be an exception to that, but punitive damages must involve willful and wanton conduct, not only negligent behavior.