Only a few people know the different types of injuries due to accidents. Often, all injuries are assumed to be personal, but this is not true. This article can help you understand the basic difference between two main categories: bodily and personal injury. If you ever need a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, you will already know how to approach them.
What is a bodily injury?
A bodily injury, as the name suggests, is a specific injury that may happen to specific body parts. It is an injury visible on the body and is often used in two contexts: automobile liability insurance policies and criminal law. In this injury, compensation is decided based on the physical damages an individual may have sustained.
Bodily Injury Compensation
The below things are covered and compensated in case of a bodily injury. However, bodily injury does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Hospital bills
- Ambulance bills
- Doctor’s bills
- Surgery bills
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
- Lost earnings
- Future lost earnings
What is a personal injury?
Personal injury differs from bodily injury and is a civil claim that one files against another person responsible for causing harm. So, when a person is injured because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, it is called a personal injury. A personal injury has many legal aspects, such as statute of limitation, burden of proof, and liability.
Personal Injury Compensation
In the case of a personal injury, you can get compensation for the below-mentioned things. In addition, more than 50% of the total compensation is generally related to non-economic conditions like pain and suffering.
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Estimated future medical expenses, if any long-term injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost earnings when you were away from work because of the injury
- Mental anguish
- Disability preventing you from working.
- Pain and suffering from your injury
How Can a Lawyer Help You?
Accidents can cause physical, mental, and financial damage to an individual. Most people are unaware of what steps to take after an accident. In such cases, it is always better to hire an experienced lawyer to help get maximum compensation.
Wrapping Up!
This article can be helpful if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and you’re not sure what kind of injury will be considered. Refer to this article and discuss your case with a lawyer.