A personal injury settlement calculator estimates the value of your injury claim using the multiplier method — the most common approach insurers and attorneys use to calculate settlement ranges. Enter your damages below to see a rough estimate.
Important Disclaimer: Every personal injury case is unique. Settlement values depend on the specific facts, jurisdiction, insurance policy limits, and many factors not captured in any calculator. This estimate is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed personal injury attorney for your specific situation.
Case Details
Emergency, hospitalization, surgery, PT, etc.
Income lost due to injury and recovery
Vehicle, personal property, etc.
Estimated Settlement Range
Settlement Calculation
This calculator uses the multiplier method as a rough guide only. Actual settlement values depend on many factors including insurance policy limits, jurisdiction, specific facts, and negotiation. Every case is unique. Always consult a licensed personal injury attorney.
How to Use the Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Insurance adjusters and personal injury attorneys use several methods to estimate case value. The most common is the multiplier method: add up all quantifiable losses (special damages), then multiply by a factor based on injury severity to account for pain and suffering (general damages). This personal injury settlement calculator applies this method to give you a rough estimate of your case's potential value.
Step 1: Enter Your Special Damages
Special damages are your actual, quantifiable losses: medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, medications), lost wages (income you couldn't earn while injured), and property damage (vehicle repairs, personal property). These are documented with bills and pay stubs. Higher special damages result in higher settlements — medical bills of $50,000 produce much larger settlements than $5,000 in bills, even for similar injuries.
Step 2: Select Injury Severity
The multiplier applied to your special damages depends on injury severity. Minor soft tissue injuries (whiplash, sprains) typically use a 1.5–2x multiplier. Moderate injuries requiring surgery or with lasting effects use 2–4x. Severe injuries causing permanent disability use 4–6x. Catastrophic injuries (traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage) can have multipliers of 5–10x or higher. Soft tissue injuries without objective medical evidence (X-rays, MRIs) are harder to value than injuries with documented physical findings.
Factors That Increase or Decrease Settlement Value
Increases: clear liability, sympathetic plaintiff, documented injuries, experienced attorney, willingness to go to trial, significant impact on daily life. Decreases: shared fault (comparative negligence reduces recovery), gaps in medical treatment, pre-existing conditions, inconsistent testimony, low insurance policy limits. In many states, comparative negligence rules reduce your recovery by your percentage of fault — 20% at fault means 20% reduction in damages.
FAQ
How is a personal injury settlement calculated?
Most settlements use the multiplier method: total special damages (medical bills + lost wages + property damage) multiplied by 1.5–5x for pain and suffering (general damages), depending on injury severity and liability clarity. A $10,000 medical bill injury with moderate severity might settle for $15,000–$30,000.
What is the average personal injury settlement?
Average settlements vary enormously by injury type. Minor soft tissue injuries: $3,000–$20,000. Moderate injuries (fractures, surgeries): $20,000–$100,000. Severe injuries (TBI, spinal cord): $100,000–$1M+. These are rough averages — every case has unique facts that affect value.
How long does a personal injury case take to settle?
Minor to moderate cases typically settle in 3–12 months. Cases involving surgery or ongoing treatment should not settle until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which can take 1–3 years. Federal court cases generally take longer than state court cases.
How much does a personal injury attorney charge?
Personal injury attorneys work on contingency — typically 33% of the settlement if settled before trial, 40% if it goes to trial. Some charge 25–30% for straightforward cases. You pay nothing unless you win.
Is this tool free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run locally in your browser.