Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Answer 7 quick questions and see a realistic range of what your claim could be worth — using the same multiplier method insurers and attorneys start from. Free, anonymous, and the math is public.
Settlement Estimator
Answer 7 quick questions — get an instant dollar range. No phone number required.
What kind of accident were you in?
Takes about 60 seconds · your result shows on the next screen
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How it works
The actual math — no black box
No "proprietary AI": this tool uses the multiplier method, the same starting framework insurance adjusters and personal injury attorneys use to value a claim.
- 1
Add up your losses
Medical bills to date (plus an allowance if you're still treating) and lost income.
- 2
Apply the multiplier
Medical specials × 1.5–5 for pain and suffering — higher for serious, lasting injuries.
- 3
Adjust for fault
California's pure comparative negligence reduces recovery by your share of fault — never to zero automatically.
The output is a range, not a number: real settlements also turn on evidence, the insurance policy limits available, the venue, and negotiation — things no calculator can see.
What goes into the number
What a settlement can include
- Medical bills to date — and the cost of care you'll still need
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn going forward
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Vehicle damage, rental costs, and other out-of-pocket losses
Punitive damages exist in California but are rare — they are not part of this estimate.
What moves the number in real life
- Liability evidence. Police report, photos, witnesses, camera footage — clear liability supports value; disputes drag it down.
- Insurance policy limits. You usually can't collect more than the coverage available. Underinsured-motorist coverage on your own policy can fill the gap.
- Treatment consistency. Gaps and skipped appointments are the classic adjuster argument that you weren't really hurt.
- Documentation. Bills, records, wage statements — value tracks what can be proven, not just what happened.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this settlement calculator?
It gives a realistic starting range using the multiplier method, but no calculator can be accurate about your specific case — value depends on evidence, insurance limits, venue, and negotiation. Treat the range as orientation, not a quote, a cap, or a promise.
How are car accident settlements actually calculated?
Most negotiations start from economic damages — medical bills and lost income — plus a pain-and-suffering figure, commonly approximated as medical specials multiplied by 1.5 to 5 depending on severity. From there, fault share, policy limits, and the strength of the evidence move the number up or down.
Do I have to give my phone number or email to see the result?
No. The estimate is computed in your browser and shown immediately — nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere. Many "free claim calculators" online are contact-collection forms that only reveal a number after you hand over your phone number; this one isn't.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Generally 2 years from the accident date for an injury lawsuit, and as little as 6 months for a claim against a government entity (a city bus, a public vehicle, a dangerous road condition). Some exceptions can extend deadlines — confirm yours with an attorney instead of assuming.
Why is the insurance company's offer lower than this range?
Early offers usually cover property damage and only part of the economic losses — and little or nothing for pain and suffering or future treatment. That's standard negotiation strategy: many people accept the first number before knowing everything a claim can include.
What is a typical car accident settlement in California?
Documented soft-tissue cases commonly resolve in the low five figures; cases with fractures, injections, or lasting symptoms often reach well into five or six figures; surgical and permanent-injury cases can go higher. The spread inside each tier is enormous — which is exactly why this tool shows ranges instead of a single number.
Is this legal advice?
No. The estimate is general educational information, not legal advice — your real claim turns on specifics only an attorney can weigh. The free case review above is a no-cost, no-obligation way to talk it through with one.
Keep reading
About this estimate
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It produces an illustrative range from the answers you select, using publicly documented valuation methods. It is not legal advice, a case valuation, an offer, or a guarantee or prediction of any outcome. Every case is different: actual results depend on the specific facts, the available insurance coverage, the applicable law, and the work of the attorney handling it. Using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.