Unfortunately, accidents are common. According to data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Americans make 35 million injury-related emergency room visits each year. After an accident, you need money to pay your bills and support the people you care about. You may hear terms like “bodily injury” or “personal injury” thrown around.
This raises an important question: Is there a difference between bodily injury and personal injury? The short answer is ‘yes’—while the terms are related, they are typically used to refer to different things. In this article, our personal injury lawyers provide an overview of the most important things to know about the differences between bodily injury and personal injury.
What Is Personal Injury?
The term “personal injury” is used to refer to a type of civil legal claim. There are many different types of personal injury claims, including auto accidents, truck accidents, premises liability lawsuits, defective product lawsuits, and medical malpractice cases. The remedies you can pursue in a personal injury claim include all of your damages. Through a successful personal injury case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring/disfigurement;
- Permanent disability; and
- Wrongful death.
What Is A Bodily Injury?
The term “bodily injury” is generally used to refer to the specific physical harm suffered by a person in an accident. A bodily injury includes things like lacerations, broken bones, physical pain, and other physical impairments. In effect, this means that a bodily injury is often a portion of a personal injury claim. The distinction is important because with some types of insurance policies, coverage is only available for damages directly related to a bodily injury.
The Key Difference: A Type Of Claim vs. A Type Of Damage
To summarize, the term “personal injury” is broadly used to describe a type of civil legal claim that falls under tort law. When you file a personal injury claim, you can seek financial compensation for a defendant who is legally liable for your accident.
In contrast, the term “bodily injury” is used to describe damage that often makes up a large share of a personal injury case. Through a personal injury claim, an injured victim can seek financial compensation for a bodily injury.
That being said, a victim is generally not limited to seeking financial compensation only for their bodily injury. You may also be entitled to financial support for other economic losses (such as lost wages) and other non-economic losses (such as mental suffering or emotional distress).
The Difference Matters In Certain Auto Accident Claims
Motor vehicle accident claims are notoriously complex. There are often tricky insurance issues that need to be resolved. In many cases, there are multiple, overlapping insurance policies that may provide coverage. After a crash, you may be dealing with an insurance policy that only provides coverage for certain damages—specifically, for losses related directly to a “bodily injury.” If you have any specific questions about handling insurance carriers after a serious accident, our Vermont & New Hampshire personal injury lawyers are here to help.
You Deserve Full & Fair Financial Compensation For Your Damages
Following a serious accident, most people have a lot of questions. You cannot rely on insurance companies to give you guidance and support. They are interested in promoting their own bottom line. At Sabbeth Law, our Vermont & New Hampshire personal injury lawyers will help you get every penny of compensation for bodily injury that you deserve. Money may be available for:
- Property damage, including automobile repairs;
- Ambulance fees and emergency room care;
- Hospital bills, medical bills, and related costs;
- Physical therapy and mental health support;
- Loss of current and future income;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Scarring, disfigurement, or disability.
While the majority of personal injury cases are resolved outside of the litigation, there is always a chance that your claim will go to court. For this reason, it is imperative that you are ready to present a strong case. Our trial-tested personal injury lawyers will take your case as far as needed to maximize your financial compensation.
Call Our Vermont & New Hampshire Personal Injury Attorneys Today
At Sabbeth Law, our Vermont & New Hampshire personal injury lawyers are aggressive, diligent advocates for victims and their loved ones. If you are preparing to bring a legal claim to recover compensation after an accident, we are here to help. Give us a call now or contact us today for a free review of your case. With a main office in White River Junction, our personal injury lawyers are well-positioned to serve people and families throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.