# The Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury | Attorney Brian White

**Table of Contents***[*Expand*]*

1. What Is Bodily Injury?
2. What Is Personal Injury?
3. Special Case: Wrongful Death
4. Decoding “Legalese” With Help From a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer
5. Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help

![The Difference Between Bodily Injury and Personal Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Difference-Between-Bodily-Injury-and-Personal-Injury-300x200.jpg)

Legal language can become so specialized that some people refer to it as “legalese” – as if it were an entirely different language. Sometimes the obscure usage of legal language is necessary, and sometimes it isn’t. Unfortunately, some lawyers use it as an excuse to convince you that you cannot solve your legal problems on your own.

While lawyers often use the terms “bodily injury” and “personal injury” interchangeably, they don’t always mean the same thing. It all depends on the context. Assuming that these two terms have the same meaning could get you into trouble if you turn out to be wrong. Consult with a lawyer if you are unsure.

## What Is Bodily Injury?

In an insurance policy, [bodily injury](https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/bodily%20injury) often means just what it says—injury to the body. In these policies, bodily injury does not include the pain and suffering or [emotional distress](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/suing-for-emotional-distress-after-an-accident/) that frequently accompany a serious bodily injury. 

It gets even more confusing since some insurance policies, especially auto liability insurance policies, also cover psychological damages arising from physical injuries, such as emotional distress. They also cover lost earnings, which isn’t really bodily injury either. 

### Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance in Texas

In Texas, PIP insurance is an optional form of coverage that covers your bodily injury if you suffer a [car accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), regardless of fault. It extends to:

- Medical expenses, including surgery, X-rays, dental care, eye care, medical procedures, prosthetic devices, and professional nursing care; 
- Ambulance services;
- Rehabilitation therapy; and
- Funeral and burial expenses.

It also covers additional losses, such as lost earnings and the cost of domestic services.

### Maximum Medical Improvement

You reach [maximum medical improvement](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/maximum-medical-improvement/) (MMI) when your doctor confirms that you have recovered from your bodily injuries as much as you ever will. Hopefully, this means you enjoy a full recovery. If it doesn’t, then it means you have to live with some [permanent physical disability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/). 

It is only when you reach MMI that you will be in a position to precisely calculate your bodily injuries. If you haven’t reached MMI, you will have to estimate your future medical expenses.

For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000)

## What Is Personal Injury?

While the term “bodily injury” often means only physical damage to the body, “[personal injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/)” has a much broader meaning. It includes not only bodily injury, but also [non-economic damages](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/personal-injury/non-economic-damages/). 

These are intangible psychological losses arising from physical injuries, such as a lifelong fear of dogs resulting from a dog attack. These damages can amount to far more than mere bodily injury damages.

### Defamation

The term “personal injury” even covers damage to reputation caused by defamation (slander or libel). Keep in mind, however, that few lawyers who style themselves as “personal injury lawyers” handle defamation claims. 

### Personal Injury Damages

Depending on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances under which you suffered them, you can qualify for various forms of compensation, including:

- Current medical bills, 
- Estimated future medical expenses;
- Pharmaceuticals; 
- Medical equipment;
- Damage to your automobile (even though, strictly speaking, [property damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/property-damage/) is not a personal injury); 
- Modifications to your home or car that your injuries might require;
- Lost earnings; 
- [Diminished earning capacity](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/loss-of-earnings-and-diminished-earning-capacity/) (estimated future lost earnings);
- Vocational rehab training;
- Out-of-pocket expenses such as child care;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress and mental anguish; 
- Lost [quality of life; ](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/quality-of-life/)
- Disfigurement; and
- Any other tangible or intangible losses you might have suffered that arise directly from your physical injuries.

Qualifying family members can also seek monetary damages for loss of consortium based on your injuries, even if they suffered no physical injuries themselves.

## Special Case: Wrongful Death

If you die from your injuries, your personal injury claim becomes a [wrongful death claim](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/) in favor of certain surviving family members. Texas wrongful death law allows your surviving close family members to collect wrongful death damages that might be characterized as “personal injury” damages, such as: 

- Lost financial support;
- Lost savings or inheritance;
- The value of lost household services;
- Survivor’s psychological pain and anguish; and
- Lost love, companionship, comfort, and society.

Of course, some of the foregoing items are based on the fatal injury to the deceased victim, not to survivors.

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## Decoding “Legalese” With Help From a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer

Terms like bodily injury and personal injury can be confusing. With the expertise of a reliable lawyer, demystify these definitions and know your rights.

Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now

## Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help

Our offices       Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350
Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098)         Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06
Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029)         Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293
Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054)         Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515
Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079)         Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268
Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058)         The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203
The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380)         Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444
Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777)  [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069)

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### About the Author Brian White

![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg)

[Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer.

Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/).

[Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents.

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