Bodily Injury Claim Calculator – Estimate Settlement

How to Use This Calculator

Getting an accurate estimate of your claim value starts with gathering the right numbers. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Collect all your medical bills and receipts. This includes emergency room visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy sessions, prescription medications, and any medical equipment you’ve purchased. Don’t leave anything out.

Step 2: Calculate your lost income. If you missed work due to your injury, multiply your daily or hourly wage by the time you couldn’t work. Include any vacation days or sick leave you had to use for recovery.

Step 3: Choose your multiplier carefully. Think about your injury severity, recovery time, and long-term impact. A sprained ankle might warrant a 1.5 or 2, while a herniated disc requiring surgery could justify a 4 or 5.

Step 4: Be honest about fault. If you contributed to the accident in any way, the insurance company will find out. It’s better to account for it now than be surprised later.

What the Numbers Mean

Economic Damages Explained

These are your tangible, out-of-pocket losses. Think of them as anything you can prove with a receipt or pay stub. Medical expenses form the backbone of most injury claims because they’re easy to verify and directly tied to your injury.

Lost wages can be trickier. If you’re salaried, it’s straightforward—just calculate the days missed. If you’re hourly, self-employed, or paid on commission, you’ll need to demonstrate your typical earnings pattern. Keep tax returns and pay stubs handy.

Non-Economic Damages Decoded

This is where things get subjective. How do you put a price on pain? Insurance companies use the multiplier method as a starting point. The more severe your injury, the higher the multiplier.

A multiplier of 1.5 to 2 typically applies to soft tissue injuries that heal within weeks. You might be sore, but you’ll recover fully. A multiplier of 3 to 4 suits broken bones, severe lacerations, or injuries requiring surgery with months of recovery. When you hit 4.5 to 5, you’re looking at life-altering injuries—permanent disability, disfigurement, or chronic pain that won’t go away.

Common Questions Answered

Multiplier Selection Guide

State Law Comparison

Mistakes to Avoid

Settling before you’re fully healed: Insurance adjusters often push for quick settlements. They know you’re stressed and need money. But once you sign, you can’t reopen the claim if your condition worsens.

Accepting the first offer: Initial settlement offers are typically low—sometimes 10-30% of fair value. They’re hoping you don’t know better. Always counter with your calculated estimate.

Forgetting future costs: Will you need physical therapy for six months? Is another surgery likely? Factor these in now because you won’t get another chance.

Overlooking non-medical expenses: Travel to medical appointments, household help you had to hire, modifications to your home or vehicle—these all count as economic damages.

Using the wrong multiplier: Being too conservative costs you money. Being too aggressive makes you look unreasonable. Match your multiplier to documented injury severity and medical evidence.

When to Hire an Attorney

You might handle a minor fender bender with soft tissue injuries yourself. But certain situations demand legal representation:

If your injuries required hospitalization, surgery, or ongoing treatment, an attorney can maximize your recovery. They know how to document damages and negotiate with adjusters.

When fault is disputed, you need someone who can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a compelling case. Insurance companies won’t give you the benefit of the doubt.

If the insurance company denies your claim or offers an unreasonably low settlement, an attorney’s involvement often prompts a better offer. They know you’re serious about pursuing full compensation.

For permanent injuries or disability, the stakes are too high to go it alone. You’re negotiating for damages that will affect the rest of your life.