Difference Between Bodily Injury And Personal Injury 

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury

Difference Between Bodily Injury And Personal Injury 

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you may start to hear various terms that begin to sound the same after a while. These terms will likely include personal injury and bodily injury. What’s the difference between bodily injury and personal injury? And why does it matter? 

Understanding the difference between personal injury and bodily injury can help you better navigate your personal injury case. An experienced personal injury attorney can also review your case and further explain these terms and how they may impact your claim. 

What Are Bodily Injuries? 

Bodily injury generally refers to a physical injury that you suffer. These injuries may occur in various accidents, including car collisions, slip and falls, and motorcycle crashes. 

Bodily injuries can include:

There are insurance policies that protect people from claims made against them when they are responsible for the bodily injury of another. 

What Are Personal Injuries?

In contrast, personal injury refers to any type of injury that someone suffers in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Personal injuries may include physical injuries, mental injuries, and emotional injuries. 

Emotional injuries that qualify as personal injuries may include the following: 

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Vehophobia
  • Other psychological injuries 

Personal injuries can also occur in a variety of contexts.

Common Causes of Personal Injury

Some of the most common causes of personal injuries include:

An experienced lawyer can review your claim’s circumstances and explain if you have a viable case. 

Personal Injury Protection and Bodily Injury Coverage

Another term that may come up in this context is personal injury protection, or PIP. PIP and bodily injury are two types of insurance coverage. Florida is a no-fault state for car insurance, so all registered drivers must carry PIP insurance in the amount of $10,000. This insurance covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages incurred because of a car accident, regardless of fault. Drivers turn to their own insurance to pay these benefits. Drivers must also maintain $10,000 in property damage liability insurance. 

Bodily injury liability refers to insurance that covers the injury or death of others. Taxis in Florida are required to carry at least $125,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $250,000 per accident. Regular drivers are not required to have bodily injury insurance coverage. 

PIP insurance is required for all registered drivers in Florida. Drivers turn to this insurance first, regardless of fault. This insurance covers a certain percentage of medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related losses up to coverage limits. PIP insurance does not apply to motorcycle accident claims.

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered. 

Damages Available for Personal Injuries and Bodily Injuries

The damages you may incur and be able to seek compensation for in an accident might include:

  • Medical expenses, including ambulance rides, emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and ongoing medical care 
  • Rehabilitative care and physical therapy
  • Ongoing medical expenses and anticipated future medical expenses
  • Lost income 
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Costs associated with residual bodily injuries, which are any permanent or lasting injuries you suffer because of the accident  
  • Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Mental anguish 
  • Loss of enjoyment of life 

A lawyer can help assign a value for your claim that factors in your losses and seek fair compensation for you. 

A Lawyer Can Help With Your Personal Injury Claim 

If you need additional information about bodily injury vs. personal injury, a personal injury lawyer can help. As you are dealing with a bodily injury and/or personal injury, an attorney can help you explore your options for pursuing the financial compensation you need to move forward. 

Contact the Clearwater Personal Injury Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg personal injury law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in Pinellas County, and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
24 hours
727-796-8282