What is the Difference Between Personal Injury and Bodily Injury?

When we hear terms like personal injury and bodily injury we often associate them with injury liability claims and insurance policy coverage. In cases where an individual does get hurt, whether on the job or in a car accident, they can file a personal or bodily injury claim as a result of injuries they sustained through no fault of their own. Perhaps the most debilitating situation an individual can experience is the pain and confusion that follows a traumatic accident that affects their quality of life.

What is Personal Injury?

Personal injury refers to injuries sustained to an individual in a physical, mental, or emotional capacity as a result of another person’s negligence. The term is often used when filing a personal injury claim in legal matters and when insurance is involved.

Examples of personal injuries include:

• Accidents through no fault of your own – When someone acts in a negligent manner and their recklessness causes you harm. Examples can include motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, including medical malpractice.
• Injury as a result of an intentional act – When a person causes intentional harm to another individual. These can include crimes such as assault and battery which are punishable by law.
• Products that are proven to be defective – Products meant for consumer use and consumption can cause harm to a person, and anyone harmed by the product can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product.

What is Bodily Injury?

Bodily injury often refers to injuries sustained to the body in relation to auto insurance claims and other events that cause significant physical harm to an individual. For example, if the other person is at fault in a car accident, bodily injury liability coverage will take effect to cover your costs like medical expenses. Conversely, if you are at fault, your insurance policy will cover the expenses of the other person.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance can cover:

• Hospital Bills
• Therapy and rehabilitation visits
• Funeral costs
• Lost income
• Severe emotional trauma

Insurance policies that cover bodily injury can save individuals a lot of money they would otherwise have to pay themselves if they didn’t have bodily injury liability insurance at the time the accident occurred. Bodily injury is a significant trauma sustained to the body and can manifest in various forms such as broken bones, bruises, and internal bleeding.

What to Do When Injured

After sustaining a personal or bodily injury, you have the right to pursue a personal or bodily injury claim with the help of an attorney. According to a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney, individuals seeking proper representation in court for their injury claim can do so with confidence. The injuries an individual sustains by no fault of their own can sue for medical expenses, damage to property, lost wages, including emotional trauma such as pain and suffering.

In addition, if you are the victim, you can pursue the lawsuit even further if your injuries will impact your life over the long term. You may be eligible for the loss of future income and future therapy visits. But consulting with your lawyer is highly recommended as the amount granted after the settlement depends on how severe your injuries are.

Consulting with an Injury Lawyer

Sustaining serious injuries is a frightening and life-altering event and it’s important to seek an experienced attorney to assist you in navigating the injury law process to recover damages. In doing so, your lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation amount you are entitled to in an effort to cover the hospital bills you have accumulated on your medical statements, damage to your property, lost income, and much more.

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