Many people make the mistake of conflating the terms bodily injury and personal injury in the event that they are hurt in an accident or incident. Yes, both concern injuries to a victim and are used when discussing the type(s) of coverage and compensation to which they might be entitled. But the terms are not interchangeable.
What is a bodily injury?
Bodily injury is a term used most often in reference to one or more specific physical injuries a victim suffers, usually at the hands of another person or party. Bodily injuries may occur as a result of violence and frequently indicate a criminal aspect to a case. Consider the following examples of bodily injuries and the circumstances under which they occur:
- Injuries resulting from assault or battery
- Injuries caused by weapons
- Injuries sustained in an accident caused by a drunk driver
- Injuries that occur in the course of other crimes or acts of violence
What is a personal injury?
Personal injury is a term that typically carries meaning in civil cases. It refers to any injury—physical, emotional, or even financial—that occurs as a result of negligence, recklessness, or harmful action or lack of action. Personal injuries occur in unintentional accidents and other situations rather than intentionally violent or egregiously negligent circumstances. For instance, the most common types of personal injuries result from the following situations:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Traffic collisions that result from driving mistakes or distraction rather than from intentionally malicious actions
- Medical malpractice – Errors in judgment or action by medical professionals
- Defective products – Products that cause harm to consumers because of flaws in their design, manufacturing, or directions for use
- Dangerous premises – Hazards in public spaces due to poor maintenance or lack of adequate signage
Compensation for your injuries
If you are hurt in an accident, incident, or other circumstance, you may be entitled to one or more types of compensation. For instance, if your injury occurred in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you’ll have a claim in civil court, but may also have standing in a criminal case. Only a skilled personal injury attorney can determine the full extent of the damages to which you are entitled and help you collect them.
Contact an experienced Texas trial lawyer for help with bodily injuries and personal injuries
To learn more about differentiating between personal injury and bodily injury and your claim to compensation in League City or elsewhere in Texas, consult Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers today. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation or call (281) 645-5000 and speak to an attorney right away.
