You can be awarded compensatory and punitive damages in a pedestrian accident lawsuit. There are two types of compensatory damages – economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover expenses such as lost wages, medical bills, and any other accident-related expenses. Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses.  A pedestrian accident victim may be awarded punitive damages if the case goes to trial. A punitive damage award is intended to “punish” the defendant for their actions and deter future negligent acts, so they tend to be awarded when a motorist behaves in an especially negligent manner.  Several factors can affect how much a personal injury claim is worth. They include the severity of your injuries, their anticipated impact on your life, and how much medical care you’ll probably need. Your Oakland pedestrian accident lawyer will assign a value to your case and negotiate with the insurance company for the money you need to cover your medical treatment and maintain financial stability while you recover.