If you’ve been in an accident, you may find yourself wondering what is the difference between bodily injury and personal injury. Personal injury refers to any injury that occurred in an accident, including physical, mental, or emotional damage, whereas bodily injury more specifically refers to physical injury to one’s body.
Knowing the difference between bodily injury and personal injury could be crucial to personal injury claims and what may or may not be covered by your insurance company. An experienced personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in achieving a successful bodily injury claim. They can help figure out what kind of bodily injury coverage you may have and whether or not you have a valid personal injury case.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Can Help
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free legal consultation to answer any questions you might have about the difference between bodily and personal injury, what bodily injury insurance entails, and whether or not you have a personal injury case.
Our personal injury law firm has worked on countless personal injury lawsuits and has the experience to pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf. Call today to get started.
Bodily injury is any physical harm that you suffer as a result of an accident.
This could include:
cuts,
bruises,
broken bones,
whiplash,
traumatic brain injuries,
spinal cord injuries,
or other serious injuries.
Personal injury, on the other hand, can include bodily injury as well as any type of mental or emotional harm that you suffer as a result of an accident.
This could include things like:
anxiety,
depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder,
or other psychological injuries.
Both bodily injury and personal injury can be compensated for in a personal injury claim.
Differences in Types of Coverage
Additionally, some become confused between personal injury protection (PIP) and bodily injury liability coverage.
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage includes payment for injury-related medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of income, and funeral and burial expenses.
Bodily injury liability coverage includes payment for any physical injuries that occur in an accident you cause.
When you or a loved one are involved in a car, slip and fall, or other accident that leaves you with injuries, it is important that you understand what the difference is between bodily injury and personal injury. Understanding these two factors will help when you pursue financial compensation and calculate your economic and non-economic damages after an accident.
Calculating Bodily and Personal Injuries in an Insurance Claim
In the aftermath of a car accident, the bodily injuries you sustain start creating medical expenses right from the onset. Your medical expenses start accumulating from the time an ambulance arrives on the scene and can continue for months if your injuries are severe enough.
Catastrophic injuries can also lead to long-term medical bills, including rehabilitative care until you are fully recovered. Because the time you have to file a compensation claim is limited, your compensation claim is forced to rely on an estimate for any long-term medical costs you will incur long after your claim is settled.
A lawyer can help you assign a value to your claim that ensures the full range of medical care you need is covered by the at-fault driver.
Pain and Suffering
The pain and suffering caused by personal injuries can be significant and should be taken into account when negotiating a settlement. These may include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other types of pain and suffering.
Speak to a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss the injuries you have sustained and whether or not you are entitled to compensation.
Do not wait until your financial situation has become dire before seeking legal help; the sooner you act, the better your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
Minimum Insurance Coverage for Bodily Injuries
Every driver in Illinois is required to carry collision insurance with minimum financial coverage for the bodily injuries the impact of a car accident can create. The Illinois Department of Insurance reports the bodily injury liability insurance minimums as:
$20,000 per person
$40,000 per accident
These insurance minimums are put into place to ensure a driver who causes an accident is responsible for the financial impact of the injuries of its victims. A lawyer can help you understand Illinois’ bodily injury minimums.
Assessing Personal Injuries in an Insurance Claim
Accurately tallying your personal injuries can also be a complex process. Tangible personal injury expenses like the income you lose while you are in the hospital or recuperating at home can be relatively simple to calculate. Intangible personal injuries like pain and suffering can be much more difficult to assign a monetary value to.
Adding up the value of future income you have not earned yet and physical, mental, and emotional anguish that might not be as readily visible as bruises and broken bones can be tricky on your own. A lawyer may be able to help you value these portions of your claim and ensure they, too, are covered by the at-fault driver.
A Lawyer May Be Able To Help You Collect Bodily and Personal Injury Compensation
When you are involved in an accident, collecting compensation for your injuries is an important part of the total healing process. Understanding what the difference is between bodily injury and personal injury can help you tally the economic and non-economic portions of your potential financial settlement.
What a Lawyer Can Help With
Having a lawyer by your side can be beneficial to your claim because your lawyer can:
Accurately assign the degree of fault, since Illinois is a contributory fault state according to 735 ILCS 5/2-1116
Review police and incident reports to prove the cause of the accident
Interview witnesses to the accident and collect testimonials and depositions
Value each portion of your claim for full financial compensation
Negotiate with the at-fault party and their insurer for a maximum payout
Your lawyer can also ensure you know and meet the time restrictions the state places on your ability to seek financial compensation. Do not hesitate to file your claim. While you concentrate on physical and emotional recovery, your lawyer can concentrate on the legal aspects of your claim and may be able to minimize or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses.
Seek the Full Financial Compensation You Deserve
Do you know what to do and how to seek compensation after an accident in which you were injured? When you are injured in a car accident or other accident someone else caused, the financial impact of the accident should fall onto their shoulders, not yours.
A Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Kryder Law Group, LLC may be able to help you receive the compensation you deserve after fault and financial liability are accurately assigned. Call to speak to a team member and start preparing your compensation claim today.
Eligible Compensation
You may be eligible for compensation for:
Your medical expenses
Lost wages and earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional anguish
Loss of quality of life
Property damage
Other accident-related expenses
The Kryder Law Group, LLC is here to Help You After an Accident
No one plans on being in an accident, but if it does happen, you need to know what to do next. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, our Chicago personal injury lawyers have helped many accident victims and their families receive the full financial compensation they deserve under Illinois law.
We Are Ready to Fight For You
We understand how an accident and resulting injuries can upend your life, which is why we fight aggressively on behalf of our clients. You should never have to worry about how you will pay your bills or support your family after an accident that was someone else’s fault.
Free Consultation
Call us today to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with one of our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers. We represent clients on a contingency basis, which means you do not owe us anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
You deserve to have an advocate in your corner after an accident that causes bodily injury or personal injury. Let us fight for you while you focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
What Is the Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury?
(312) 223-1700 