As with most personal injury cases, you may be able to recover three types of compensation: economic, non-economic, and exemplary/punitive.  Economic damages refer to any actual expenses incurred after the accident, which could be medical care, prescription medication, rehabilitation, wage loss, vehicle damage, and more. Non-economic damage refers to damage that isn’t connected to any specific monetary value, such as mental, physical, or emotional pain and suffering. Lastly, punitive damages are not recoverable in Michigan, exemplary damages are similar and allowed, but are rare in semi-truck accident cases. Exemplary damages can potentially be rewarded to the plaintiff if it's proven that the defendant exhibited malice or willful misconduct.