Car Accident Settlement Calculator

Most settlements use the multiplier method: economic damages (medical bills + lost wages + property damage) plus pain and suffering equal to medical bills × 1.5–5x depending on injury severity. Minor injuries multiply by 1.5x, catastrophic by 5x. Then comparative negligence reduces the total by your at-fault percentage. Insurance adjusters use this same formula internally.

The Insurance Information Institute reports a median settlement of about $19,000, with most cases falling in the $20,000–$50,000 range. Severe-injury cases (TBI, paralysis, multiple surgeries) regularly exceed $250,000. Property-damage-only claims average $4,500. Most settlements are paid by insurance, capped by the at-fault driver's liability limit.

States use one of three rules: (1) Pure comparative negligence (CA, FL, NY, AZ + 9 others) - recover even if 99% at fault. (2) Modified 50% bar - no recovery if 50%+ at fault. (3) Modified 51% bar - no recovery if 51%+ at fault (most states). Your settlement is reduced proportionally: 30% at fault means 70% of total damages.

Simple property-damage-only claims settle in 2–6 weeks. Personal injury claims average 6 months to 2 years. Cases involving disputed liability, severe injuries, or litigation can take 3+ years. Most settle before trial (95%+). Statute of limitations is typically 2–3 years from the accident date.

Hire an attorney if injuries required medical treatment beyond an ER visit, if you missed work, if liability is disputed, or if the insurer's offer feels low. PI lawyers typically work on contingency (33–40% of settlement) - you pay nothing if they don't win. Studies (Insurance Research Council) show represented plaintiffs recover 3.5x more on average, even after legal fees.