How does the settlement estimator work?

It adds the documented economic losses you enter, keeps any projected future losses on a separate line, and then — only if you choose — applies a non-economic assumption and a shared-fault rule that you select. Every step is shown in the result, and the exact formulas are on the Methodology page.

Is there a standard personal injury settlement formula?

No. No statute, court rule or regulation sets a universal formula. Multiplier and per-diem approaches are negotiation shorthand, not legal rules. See Pain and Suffering: Understanding the Limits of Estimates.

Why doesn’t the estimator have injury-severity or recovery-time settings anymore?

Earlier versions converted severity, recovery time and liability into fixed multipliers and minimum amounts. Those numbers could not be supported with reliable data, so we removed them. You can still explore assumptions, but you set them yourself and they are labeled as yours.

Can this calculator predict my actual settlement?

No. It cannot account for evidence, liability disputes, insurance limits, state law, negotiation or many other factors. It shows arithmetic on your inputs and assumptions.

Does my state matter?

Yes. Filing deadlines, fault rules, notice requirements for government claims and damage caps vary by state. The calculators do not apply state law automatically. See State Law Resources for verified entries.

What are economic and non-economic damages?

Economic damages are financial losses shown by records, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate for harm without a bill, such as pain, emotional distress and lost enjoyment of life. See Economic Damages and Non-Economic Damages.

How much will I actually receive from a settlement?

That depends on the attorney fee, case expenses and any liens or reimbursement claims. The Net Settlement Calculator itemizes those deductions for a hypothetical gross amount.

Does insurance coverage affect a claim?

Often, yes. Liability limits frequently set a practical ceiling on what can be collected. Your own underinsured motorist coverage may also be relevant. See Insurance Policy Limits.

Is my information private?

Yes. The tools run in your browser and do not send what you type to us. Two tools can remember entries in your own browser if you choose. See the Privacy Policy.

Should I speak with a lawyer?

Many people find it helpful, especially with significant injuries, disputed fault, liens, government defendants or approaching deadlines. ClaimSettleIQ does not provide legal advice or referrals; state bar associations operate lawyer referral services.