Settlement Calculator

Get an instant estimate of your personal injury settlement based on your state laws, medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering.

How Our Settlement Calculator Works
Understanding the methodology behind your estimate

Our settlement calculator uses industry-standard formulas combined with state-specific legal rules to provide you with a realistic estimate of your potential personal injury settlement. The calculation considers multiple factors that insurance companies and attorneys typically evaluate when determining case value.

The calculator first totals your economic damages (quantifiable losses like medical bills and lost wages), then applies a multiplier based on injury severity to estimate non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Finally, it adjusts the total based on your state's negligence laws and your percentage of fault, if applicable.

Important: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes. Actual settlement values depend on many factors unique to your case. Always consult with a qualified attorney for case-specific advice.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are your calculable financial losses. These are documented with bills, receipts, and records:

  • Medical Bills: Hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, medical equipment
  • Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery, including sick days and vacation time used
  • Future Medical Costs: Ongoing treatment, future surgeries, long-term care
  • Property Damage: Vehicle repairs, damaged personal items
Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses that don't have specific dollar amounts:

  • Pain & Suffering: Physical pain experienced during and after the accident
  • Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear
  • Loss of Enjoyment: Inability to participate in hobbies and activities
  • Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships with spouse/family
Understanding the Pain & Suffering Multiplier

The "multiplier method" is the most common way to calculate pain and suffering damages. Your economic damages are multiplied by a factor based on injury severity:

1.5x - 2x
Minor Injuries
Soft tissue, minor cuts, bruises
2x - 3x
Moderate Injuries
Fractures, herniated discs
3x - 4x
Severe Injuries
Multiple fractures, surgeries
4x - 5x+
Catastrophic
TBI, paralysis, permanent disability

Example: If you have $50,000 in medical bills and a moderate injury (2.5x multiplier), your pain and suffering would be approximately $125,000, bringing the total to $175,000 before any fault adjustments.

Your State's Laws Matter

Each state has different negligence laws that can dramatically affect your settlement. Our calculator automatically applies your state's rules:

Pure Comparative
13 states. You can recover even if 99% at fault, reduced by your percentage.
Modified Comparative
33 states. Barred if 50-51%+ at fault depending on state.
Contributory
5 jurisdictions. Any fault bars recovery completely.

View all state-specific rules →

Example Settlement Calculations

Here are three example scenarios showing how different factors affect settlement values:

Scenario 1: Rear-End Collision with Soft Tissue Injury
Medical Bills: $8,500
Lost Wages: $3,200
Injury Severity: Minor (1.5x)
State: California (Pure Comparative)
Your Fault: 0%
Estimated Settlement: $29,250
Scenario 2: T-Bone Accident with Broken Bones
Medical Bills: $45,000
Lost Wages: $15,000
Injury Severity: Moderate (2.5x)
State: Texas (Modified 51%)
Your Fault: 20%
Estimated Settlement: $132,000
Scenario 3: Severe Accident with Surgery Required
Medical Bills: $125,000
Lost Wages: $40,000
Injury Severity: Severe (3.5x)
State: Florida (Pure Comparative)
Your Fault: 10%
Estimated Settlement: $519,750
1. Select Your State
Laws vary by state. Select where your accident occurred.

California Negligence Law:

California follows pure comparative negligence, allowing recovery even if plaintiff is 99% at fault. Damages are reduced by plaintiff's percentage of fault. This is one of the most plaintiff-friendly negligence systems in the US.

2. Economic Damages (Hard Costs)
Enter actual expenses you've incurred or expect to incur.

Already incurred

Expected future costs

Income already lost

Expected future loss

Vehicle, belongings, etc.

Transportation, home care, etc.

3. Pain & Suffering
Non-economic damages are calculated using a multiplier of your economic damages.
3.0x
1.5x (Minor)3.0x (Moderate)5.0x (Severe)

This multiplier is applied to medical bills and lost wages to calculate pain and suffering damages. Higher multipliers reflect more severe injuries.

4. Special Circumstances
These factors can increase settlement value due to higher insurance coverage.
5. Fault Allocation
Were you partially at fault? This is critical for your state's negligence law.
0%
0% (Not at fault)50%100% (Fully at fault)

If you were partially at fault for the accident, adjust this slider. The calculation will automatically apply your state's negligence law.

This calculator provides an estimate only. Results are not legal advice.

What to Do After Getting Your Estimate

Your settlement estimate provides a starting point for understanding your case's potential value. Here are recommended next steps:

  1. Document Everything: Keep all medical records, bills, receipts, photos, and correspondence related to your injury.
  2. Don't Accept Quick Offers: Insurance companies often make early lowball offers. Your estimate shows what your case might actually be worth.
  3. Consider Consulting an Attorney: If your estimate exceeds $15,000 or involves serious injuries, a free consultation can help you understand your options.
  4. Mind the Deadline: Every state has a statute of limitations (typically 2-4 years). Don't wait too long to take action.
  5. Continue Medical Treatment: Gaps in treatment can hurt your claim. Follow your doctor's recommendations completely.

Remember: This calculator provides estimates based on typical cases and industry formulas. Every case is unique. Factors like insurance policy limits, evidence quality, and negotiation skill can significantly impact your actual settlement.

Settlement Calculator USA | Free Personal Injury Settlement Estimator