Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury

Bill Allen | December 6, 2022 | Car Accidents

No one plans on getting into an auto accident. However, if you are ever in this situation, it is good to know what the laws are surrounding accident reports and the next steps you will need to take to protect your rights. 

The car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A., can help. In this blog post, we’ll explain the difference between bodily injury and personal injury so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to file your claim.

What Is Bodily Injury? 

Florida is a no-fault insurance state when it comes to car accidents. All registered vehicles must be insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability. PIP insurance covers bodily injury, which means any physical injury to the body.

In the event of an accident, PIP insurance covers your own medical expenses, up to 80% of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses, up to the policy limits resulting from a covered injury, regardless of fault. The minimum amount of PIP insurance is $10,000 in Florida. Property damage liability (PDL) covers the damage to another person’s property caused by the insured or someone else driving their insured vehicle. Vehicles registered as taxis in Florida are required to carry bodily injury liability coverage of at least $125,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence. 

Bodily injuries are any type of injury to the human body, including:

Another important term to know in this context is “residual bodily injury.” A residual bodily injury is any permanent or lasting injury a victim suffers after an accident. These injuries can negatively affect an accident victim’s health, livelihood, and quality of life. Florida law allows you to step outside the no-fault system if you suffer a “serious” injury. 

What Is Personal Injury? 

Personal injury refers to any type of injury you suffer because of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. In addition to car accidents, people can suffer personal injuries in other types of accidents, including:

Additionally, while “bodily injury” refers to an injury to the body, personal injury can include other types of injuries, including mental or emotional trauma. 

Bodily Injury vs. Personal Injury

Here are the key things to know when comparing bodily injury and personal injury:

  • Bodily injury refers to an injury to the body
  • Personal injury can be a bodily injury or another type of injury, such as psychological harm
  • Personal injury also refers to injuries stemming from any type of accident
  • Bodily injury is a term included in car insurance policies to refer to injuries people suffer in car accidents

You might also wonder about PIP vs. bodily injury.

Personal Injury Protection vs. Bodily Injury

Personal injury protection and bodily injury can both be terms included in your insurance coverage. Notably, these types of coverage may include:

  • Personal injury protection – PIP coverage includes payment for injury-related medical expenses, loss of income, funeral expenses, and burial expenses. 
  • Bodily injury liability – Bodily injury liability coverage provides payment for any physical injuries the insured causes.

Once you determine the costs associated with your bodily injury, you can begin to calculate the compensation you may be able to recover.

Calculating Bodily Injury and Personal Injuries 

Bodily injuries and personal injuries can cause significant harm, including:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Psychological trauma
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Physical pain and suffering

It can be difficult to convert these factors into a dollar value. This is one area where an attorney can help, as most personal injury lawyers have access to experts that can help make an accurate assessment of your case’s value. 

Most Ocala personal injury attorneys also offer a free consultation to review your case, so it won’t hurt to reach out for legal advice.

Contact Our Ocala Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292