Bodily Injury in Car Accident
Bodily injuries are any physical injuries you sustain in a car accident. The term also refers to a type of insurance coverage. Bodily injury liability claims are filed either with your own insurer or another driver’s insurance company. Through these claims, you can receive compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses.
A car accident lawyer from our firm can explain what is considered a bodily injury in your car accident case. We can assist in filing a bodily injury claim and even deal with any issues that may arise. We hold insurers accountable for what they owe victims. Call for a free consultation at (954) 633-8270.
Examples of Bodily Injury in Car Accident Cases
You could qualify for a bodily injury liability claim if you suffered the following injuries in an auto accident:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns and disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Put simply, if you were physically harmed in the accident, you suffered a bodily injury.
Damages You Could Recover From a Bodily Injury Claim
Bodily injury claims could provide compensation for accident related losses like:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Income losses from your injury
- Reduced earning ability
In some states, insurance companies may also provide coverage for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. In other states, these types of damages are only available through a lawsuit.
Damages in any injury case are tailored to each victim. For instance, if you suffered an injury that put you in the hospital for three days, Healthcare.gov estimates the cost as $30,000. However, certain injuries can come with higher hospital costs, like traumatic brain injuries.
For that reason, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys can assess the full spectrum of your losses to help ensure an insurer recognizes them.
How Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Coverage Works in Car Accident Cases
Many states require drivers to carry certain insurance coverage for bodily injury. Typically, your bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for losses incurred by the other person in the crash. In other words, it protects you from paying for an injured party’s bills and lost income if you are at fault. Consequently, if you are the one injured in a crash caused by someone else, you often file a claim so the other party’s bodily injury liability coverage pays for your damages.
Bodily Injury vs. Personal Injury Protection
If you’re wondering how to pay your own medical bills in a crash you caused, you typically file under your personal injury protection (PIP). Whereas your bodily injury coverage takes care of the other party, your PIP takes care of you.
Additionally, PIP can sometimes help pay if a hit-and-run driver caused your accident. This depends on the state, your policy, and the circumstances of your case, so check with our team to learn more.
Bodily Injury Claims, State Laws, and Serious Injuries
Each state has a different minimum requirement for bodily injury liability coverage.
Know what coverage is available to you, especially because your costs could exceed the policy limits. Most states require at least $25,000 per person, but Healthcare.gov’s three-day hospitalization estimate was $30,000—already over the limit and that’s just for the hospital stay.
If you suffer serious injuries that have sky-high bills, you aren’t out of options. Even in a no-fault state, you can pursue compensation for a serious bodily injury through a personal injury lawsuit. What counts as a serious injury depends on the state. For instance, according to Florida Statutes § 627.737, the following would be considered a serious bodily injury:
- Significant or permanent loss of body function
- Permanent injury
- Significant or permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
If you aren’t sure of your state’s laws, the coverage available to you, or whether you meet a serious injury requirement, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys can analyze your case in context.
Steps in Filing a Bodily Injury Claim After a Car Accident
Bodily injury liability claims typically follow the same basic blueprint as other insurance claims:
- Report the accident to authorities and insurers
- Get help from doctors and lawyers
- Gather evidence of your losses
- File an insurance claim
- Focus on recovering your health
- Review settlement offers
- Negotiate the terms of a settlement
- File a personal injury lawsuit
- Continue to negotiate for a fair settlement
- Proceed to court if necessary
The important thing is not to assume anything about your case don’t assume an insurance company is on your side, don’t assume their first offer is your only option, and don’t assume you are out of luck if you reach a policy’s limits. You can exercise your right to legal assistance at any point.
We Can Explain What Bodily Injury Means in a Car Accident Case
If you aren’t sure if your condition is considered a bodily injury, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato. We can help you with filing a bodily injury claim, explaining your policy terms, negotiating for a settlement, and getting ready to represent you in court if necessary. Get a free consultation today by calling (954) 633-8270.
