Car Accident Settlement Calculator in California

California Guide to Car Accident Settlement Calculations

How This Calculator Works

This estimator uses the Multiplier Method, a commonly used negotiation framework for estimating a settlement range. It starts by totaling your economic damages (medical bills, property damage, and lost wages). Then it applies a pain & suffering multiplier to approximate non-economic damages. Finally, the estimate is adjusted using pure comparative negligence principles.

What Is the Pain & Suffering Multiplier?

The multiplier reflects the severity and impact of an injury. A value around 1.5 is often used for minor injuries. A value closer to 5 may reflect severe, long-lasting, or life-altering injuries.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages (sometimes called “special damages”) are measurable costs such as medical treatment bills and wage loss. Property damage is also included in this category. Non-economic damages (often called “general damages”) reflect pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.

California Personal Injury Laws You Should Know

• Statute of Limitations: In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your case may be permanently dismissed.
• Small Claims Limit: For smaller disputes, California allows you to sue in Small Claims Court for damages up to $12,500.

Comparative Negligence in California

California follows pure comparative negligence. Your estimate is reduced by your share of fault. For example, if the estimated value is $100,000 and you are 20% at fault, the adjusted estimate becomes approximately $80,000.