Texas law permits an award of what are known as exemplary or punitive damages in certain types of personal injury or wrongful death cases. Exemplary damages are the award of additional money in a lawsuit brought in a personal injury or wrongful death matter. Exemplary damages are ordered to do more than providing an injured person, or the family of a deceased individual, extra compensation. This type of compensation is awarded to serve as a sort of punishment for conduct by the party that caused a DWI accident that is deemed particularly reckless or egregious.
