Car Accident Calculator

Understand your claim value.

Inputs

Accident Details

Your location determines fault rules and liability caps.
January 2026
Su
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
Essential for determining if the Statute of Limitations has expired.
State Minimum
$25,000 Limit
$50,000 Limit
$100,000 Limit
Unknown
If unknown, we assume State Minimum for safety.

Economic Damages

Enter full billed amount, not just co-pay.
No
If yes, your health insurer may claim a lien (repayment) from your settlement.
Includes past missed hours and loss of future earning capacity.
Repair costs or the fair market value of your vehicle if totaled.

Injury Assessment

Objective medical evidence (like MRI/X-Ray) significantly increases value.
This intensity score adjusts the multiplier for your Pain & Suffering damages.

Case Factors

Be realistic; adjusters will aggressively assign blame to reduce payouts.
Yes
Calculates the standard 33.3% contingency fee deduction.

Results

Estimated Case Value
$45,000 - $52,000
Where the money goes:
Attorney
Liens
Your Net
Attorney
Liens
You
⚖️
Serious Injury detected. Insurance adjusters will try to minimize this. Professional representation is recommended.
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The 2026 Car Accident Settlement Guide

A complete breakdown of claim values, insurance negotiation, and legal strategies for maximizing compensation.

1. The "Golden Hour": Protecting Your Claim Immediately

The first hour after a collision is critical. Insurance companies often deploy "Rapid Response Teams" to gather evidence to lower your payout. You must be equally proactive.

  • Police Report (Crash Exchange): This is the foundation of your claim. In states like Texas and California, a police report acts as the primary leverage for liability. Ensure the officer notes any admissions of guilt by the other driver.
  • Photos of Context: Don't just photograph the damage. Photograph skid marks, weather conditions, obscured traffic signs, and the other driver's license plate.
  • Medical Triage: Adrenaline masks pain. A delay in seeking medical care (known as a "Gap in Treatment") is the #1 reason claims are devalued. Go to Urgent Care or the ER immediately if you feel any discomfort.

2. Insurance Coverage Types Explained

Your settlement is often capped by insurance policy limits. Understanding these acronyms is vital for your financial recovery.

The "Alphabet Soup" of Coverage

  • BI (Bodily Injury): The at-fault driver's insurance. This pays for your pain, suffering, and bills.
  • PD (Property Damage): Pays for your vehicle repairs. This is usually handled separately from the injury claim.
  • UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist): CRITICAL COVERAGE. If your claim is worth $100k, but the other driver only has $25k coverage, your UIM policy pays the remaining $75k.
  • PIP / MedPay: "No-Fault" benefits that pay your medical bills immediately, regardless of who caused the crash. Mandatory in FL, NY, NJ, UT, etc.
  • Gap Insurance: Covers the difference if you owe more on your car loan than the car is actually worth.

3. Valuing Specific Injuries (Whiplash vs. Fractures)

Insurance adjusters use software like "Colossus" to calculate value. They look for "Objective Injuries" (visible on X-Ray/MRI) versus "Subjective Injuries" (Pain).

Whiplash & Soft Tissue: Often valued at 1.5x to 2.5x medical bills. Documentation is key here. You need consistent physical therapy records to prove the pain is real.

Fractures & Surgery: These trigger higher multipliers (3x to 5x+). Broken bones are objective evidence of high-impact force. Cases involving surgery often demand full policy limits.

Concussions (TBI): Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries are high-value but hard to prove. Symptoms like memory loss, dizziness, or photosensitivity must be documented by a neurologist.

4. Uber, Lyft, and Commercial Truck Accidents

Accidents involving commercial vehicles differ significantly from standard car crashes due to the insurance limits involved.

  • Uber & Lyft: If the app was ON and they had a passenger (Period 3), these companies typically provide a $1,000,000 liability policy. This is huge for serious injury cases. If the app was off, only personal insurance applies.
  • Commercial Trucks (18-Wheelers): Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry substantially higher minimums ($750k to $5M). However, trucking companies fight aggressively, often blaming the victim for "blind spot" violations.

5. Secrets of Insurance Negotiation

Adjusters are trained to close files quickly and cheaply. Here are common tactics they use:

  • The "Swoop and Settle": Offering $500 to $1,000 immediately after the crash. If you sign, you waive all future rights, even if you need surgery later.
  • The "Recorded Statement": They will ask you to give a statement on tape. They will ask "How are you?" hoping you say "I'm fine" out of politeness. This recording will be used to deny your injury claim.
  • Pre-Existing Condition Argument: They will claim your back pain is from age or an old sports injury, not the crash. You need a doctor to write a causation letter stating the crash aggravated the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a settlement take?

Simple cases typically settle 30-90 days after you finish medical treatment. Litigation cases (filing a lawsuit) can take 1-3 years.

Is my settlement taxable?

Generally, no. The IRS excludes settlements for "physical bodily injury" from income tax. However, interest and punitive damages are taxable.

What if the other driver fled (Hit & Run)?

You must file a claim under your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. It typically does not raise your rates if you were not at fault.

What is a Medical Lien?

If health insurance (or Medicare) pays your bills, they have a right to be paid back from your settlement. This is called "subrogation."

Can I claim for Diminished Value?

Yes. If your car is repaired but now has a "wrecked" history, it is worth less. You can demand the insurance company pay this difference.

How much do lawyers charge?

Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency. They take 33.3% of the settlement. If they don't win, you pay $0.

What is "Loss of Consortium"?

A legal claim for the spouse of an injured person, compensating for loss of companionship, affection, and household help.

Does "Fault" vary by state?

Yes. In "No-Fault" states (like FL), your own insurance pays bills first. In "Tort" states (like CA), the at-fault driver pays.