Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Rough settlement range after a car accident — medicals, lost wages, pain & suffering, vehicle damage.
Estimated settlement (pre-attorney)
$54,000
- Economic damages
- $24,000
- Pain & suffering
- $30,000
- Your fault reduction
- −$0
- Policy cap applied
- No
- After 33% attorney fee
- $36,180
Estimate uses the standard multiplier method. Real outcomes depend on jurisdiction, documentation, insurance behavior, and attorney negotiation. Consult a licensed attorney.
About this calc
Estimate a car accident settlement range with the multiplier method most insurers use. Factors: medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, injury severity, and comparative fault. Not legal advice — always talk to an attorney for a real claim.
FAQ
- How much is the average car accident settlement?
- Widely variable — minor whiplash claims settle for $3k-15k, serious injuries $25k-100k+, catastrophic cases six-to-seven figures. The biggest variable after injury severity is the at-fault driver's insurance limit.
- What's the multiplier method?
- Insurers estimate pain & suffering as 1.5-5x your medical bills, then add economic damages. This calc uses that approach as a starting point for negotiation.
- Can I settle for more than the policy limit?
- Usually not. If damages exceed the at-fault driver's liability limit, you typically need your own UIM coverage or to pursue a personal judgment — which often yields little if the driver has no assets.
- How long do car accident settlements take?
- Minor claims: weeks to a few months. Moderate: 6-18 months. Severe: 1-3+ years if litigation is required. Insurers slow-walk larger claims hoping you'll settle low.