Personal Injury Settlement Estimator
Estimate personal injury settlement from medical bills, lost wages, and a pain multiplier (1-5x).
Returns economic, general, and total damage estimates.
Personal injury settlement value is estimated using a combination of economic damages (calculable losses) and non-economic damages (pain, suffering, and quality-of-life impact). The final settlement depends on evidence, jurisdiction, liability percentage, and insurance policy limits.
Total estimated value formula: Claim Value = Economic Damages + Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages (special damages) — fully documentable:
- Medical expenses: All past and future treatment costs (hospital, surgery, PT, medication, aids)
- Lost wages: Hourly/salary rate × days unable to work (past lost wages)
- Future lost earning capacity: If permanent injury reduces future earning potential
- Property damage: Vehicle repair/replacement, damaged belongings
- Out-of-pocket costs: Transportation to appointments, home care, assistive devices
Non-economic damages (general damages) — two common methods:
Multiplier method: Non-Economic Damages = Economic Damages × Multiplier
Multiplier range: 1.5× (minor, full recovery) to 5× (severe permanent injury) — adjusted by injury severity, impact on life quality, and liability clarity.
Per diem method: Non-Economic Damages = Daily Rate × Days of Suffering
Daily rate typically = plaintiff’s daily wage rate. Applied until maximum medical improvement (MMI) is reached.
Comparative negligence reduction: If plaintiff is partially at fault, damages are reduced proportionally: Adjusted Value = Claim Value × (1 − Plaintiff’s Fault %)
Note: In contributory negligence states (AL, MD, NC, VA, DC), ANY plaintiff fault bars recovery entirely.
Policy limits — the practical ceiling: Settlements cannot exceed the defendant’s insurance policy limits (typically $25,000–$100,000 for auto; $100,000–$300,000 for homeowner). Large verdicts against underinsured defendants often go uncollected.
Attorney’s contingency fee: Typically 33% pre-lawsuit, 40% post-filing, sometimes up to 45% at trial.
Worked example: Rear-end collision. Whiplash + 2 broken ribs. Recovery: 6 months.
- Medical bills: $18,500
- 6 weeks off work at $800/week: $4,800
- Future PT (estimated): $3,500
- Property (vehicle): $6,200
- Total economic damages: $33,000
Multiplier: 2.5× (moderate injury, full recovery expected)
- Non-economic damages: $33,000 × 2.5 = $82,500
- Total gross claim: $115,500
- Defendant 100% at fault (clear liability)
- Attorney fee (33%): −$38,115
- Net to plaintiff: ~$77,385