Personal Injury Calculator

Insurance companies use the "multiplier method" as a starting point. Your total medical expenses are multiplied by a factor (1.5x for minor injuries, up to 10x for catastrophic injuries) to estimate pain and suffering. Lost wages and property damage are added separately. The result is then adjusted by your percentage of fault according to your state's negligence rules and is limited by the defendant's insurance policy limits.

The multiplier is a number (typically 1.5 to 10) applied to your medical bills to estimate non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Minor soft tissue injuries use 1.5-3x, moderate injuries like fractures use 3-5x, serious injuries requiring surgery use 5-7x, and catastrophic or permanent injuries use 7-10x or higher.

Comparative negligence reduces your settlement by your percentage of fault. In "pure comparative" states (like CA and NY), you can recover even at 99% fault. In "modified comparative" states, you are barred from recovery at 50% or 51% fault, depending on the state. In "pure contributory" states (AL, MD, NC, VA, DC), you are barred from any recovery even at just 1% fault.

The defendant's insurance policy limits are usually the practical ceiling on your recovery, regardless of your case's theoretical value. If your case is worth $500,000 but the defendant only has $50,000 in liability coverage, you will likely only collect $50,000 unless the defendant has substantial personal assets. Your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can make up the difference.

Yes, significantly. Cases involving surgery typically settle for 2-5 times more than cases with conservative treatment only. Surgery provides objective evidence of injury severity and proves that less invasive treatment was insufficient.

Under the "eggshell plaintiff" doctrine, the defendant takes you as they find you — if a minor collision causes serious injury because of a pre-existing condition, the defendant is still liable. However, insurance adjusters will argue your treatment was for the pre-existing condition rather than the accident. The key is proving the accident caused a flare-up or worsening of your condition.

No. Most states do not cap non-economic damages in general personal injury cases. Only about 4 states have enforceable general personal injury damage caps (CO, MD, OH, TN). More states cap damages specifically for medical malpractice cases, but those caps do not apply to car accidents, slip and falls, or other general injury claims.

Research consistently shows that represented claimants recover 3-3.5 times more than unrepresented claimants, even after attorney fees (typically 33-40% on contingency). For minor soft tissue injuries with clear liability and low medical bills, you may be able to handle the claim yourself. For moderate to severe injuries, surgery cases, liability disputes, or cases involving permanent impairment, an attorney will almost certainly increase your net recovery.