LexPair

    Car Accident Settlement Calculator

    Stylized sedan with data visualization graphics, representing a car accident settlement estimate

    Estimate Your Settlement

    Answer a few short questions at your own pace — same calculator, less overwhelming. Rough numbers are fine.

    Your Settlement Estimate

    Answer a few questions to see your estimate

    Click "Start estimating" on the left to begin.

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    How This Calculator Works

    1

    Economic Damages

    Add up all documented financial losses: past and future medical bills, vehicle repair costs, past and future lost wages. These are your 'special' damages.

    Medical + Property + Lost Wages + Future Costs
    2

    Non-Economic Damages

    Pain and suffering is calculated by applying your chosen multiplier to your total medical expenses (past + future). A $1,000 nuisance value is always added.

    (Medical × Multiplier) + $1,000
    3

    Fault, Caps & Collectibility

    Your state's negligence rule adjusts legal case value by fault. Selected state-specific non-economic limits can further constrain that value. Policy and UIM limits then cap collectible value before attorney fees.

    Case Value → Fault-Adjusted → Coverage Capped → Net

    Choosing the Right Multiplier

    The multiplier (usually 1.5–5.0) is the most subjective part of the calculation. It determines how your medical bills translate into pain and suffering damages.

    ×

    Typical Ranges

    • 1.5× – 3.0×Minor to moderate soft-tissue injuries with full recovery.
    • 3.0× – 4.0×Fractures and moderate injuries needing longer recovery.
    • 4.0× – 5.0×Severe, life-altering, or permanent injuries.

    * LexPair uses an initial 1.5× based on huge datasets of structured public outcomes.

    ↑ Pushes Multiplier HIGHER
    • Severe, catastrophic, or permanent injury
    • Surgery or ongoing specialist care required
    • Significant impact on daily life or activities
    • Strong medical documentation
    • Defendant clearly reckless or grossly negligent
    ↓ Pushes Multiplier LOWER
    • Soft-tissue only, no objective imaging findings
    • Short recovery period, full resolution expected
    • Gaps in medical treatment after accident
    • Pre-existing conditions at same body area
    • Comparative fault shared between parties

    How Your State's Fault Laws Affect Recovery

    Pure Comparative

    Most Forgiving

    States: AK, AZ, CA, KY, LA, MS, MO, NM, NY, RI, WA

    You recover proportional to fault. Even if 90% at fault, you can recover 10%.

    51% Bar

    Less than 51%

    States: CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, IN, IA, MA, MI, MN, MT, NV, NH, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, WV, WI, WY

    If you are MORE than 50% at fault (51%+), you recover nothing. Otherwise proportional.

    50% Bar

    Less than 50%

    States: AR, CO, GA, ID, KS, ME, NE, ND, TN, UT

    If you are 50% OR MORE at fault, you recover nothing. Slightly stricter bar.

    Pure Contributory

    Harshest Rule

    States: AL, DC, MD, NC, VA

    If you are even 1% at fault, you cannot recover ANY damages. Insurers use this aggressively.

    How fault rules often show up in claims discussions

    In contributory-negligence jurisdictions (for example AL, MD, NC, VA, DC), disputes sometimes focus on whether any fault is attributed to the claimant. In modified comparative-fault states, disputes may focus on whether fault is above the applicable threshold. These are simplified summaries only; outcomes depend on facts and proof. A licensed attorney in your state can explain how these concepts may apply to a specific situation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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