If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be hearing the terms “personal injury” and “bodily injury” thrown around by insurance adjusters, medical professionals, and even friends and family. It can be overwhelming trying to understand all the legal jargon while you’re already dealing with pain, stress, and the disruption to your daily life.
As personal injury lawyers, we’ve seen countless clients in your position, trying to recover from their injuries while also trying to understand how to get the compensation they deserve. That’s why it’s important to break down the concepts associated with accidents and injuries in a straightforward way, so you can focus on healing and leave the legal complexities to us.
Personal Injury Vs Bodily Injury: What’s the Difference?
Bodily injury and personal injury might sound similar, but they mean different things. Bodily injury refers to the physical damage done to a person in an accident such as bruises, cuts, broken bones, burns, and whiplash. Bodily injuries range from minor to severe and can result in very large medical bills.
Bodily injury liability coverage is a term commonly used in the insurance industry and refers to a type of car liability insurance coverage that pays for injuries or fatalities resulting from an accident for which you are found responsible. In Washington State, drivers are required to purchase liability coverage limits of at least $25,000 in bodily injury per person and $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident.
When someone is injured due to another person’s negligence, they have the right to file a personal injury claim. This civil lawsuit allows the injured party to seek compensation not only for their bodily injuries but also for other related damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
So, while personal injury and bodily injury might sound similar, they’re actually quite different in the legal and insurance world. Understanding this difference, and having a savvy personal injury lawyer on your side, can make a huge difference in how your case turns out and the compensation you get for your injuries.
What Kind of Damages May Be Recovered for Bodily Injury Through a Personal Injury Claim?
When you file a personal injury claim for a bodily injury, several types of damages may be considered:
- Medical expenses. Costs for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages. Compensation for income lost due to inability to work during recovery.
- Pain and suffering. Damages for physical pain and emotional distress experienced as a result of the injury.
- Loss of consortium. Compensation for the impact of the injury on your relationship with your spouse or family.
- Property damage. Costs for repairing or replacing any personal property damaged in the incident.
- Future medical costs. Projected expenses for ongoing medical care related to the injury.
- Punitive damages. Additional compensation intended to punish the negligent party if their actions were particularly egregious.
Seek the Help of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
