See what your car accident case is worth.
#1 Settlement calculator in America since 2023. See what YOUR claim is really worth, free.
See what your car accident case is worth.
#1 Settlement calculator in America since 2023. See what YOUR claim is really worth, free.
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Attorney InsightTM
The most advanced car accident settlement calculator available — completely free.
SetCalc's AI has been trained on over 175 billion data points. No other calculator comes close.
Every estimate is reviewed by a real attorney.
We combine AI analysis with attorney insight to bring you the most comprehensive free case review available.
Last updated: February 2026
2026 Car Accident Settlement Statistics
Understanding average settlements helps you know if an insurance offer is fair. Here's what the data shows:
Average Settlement by Injury Type
| Injury Type | Average Settlement |
|---|---|
| Whiplash / Soft Tissue | $15,000 |
| Back/Neck Injuries | $40,000 |
| Herniated Disc | $80,000 |
| Broken Bones / Fractures | $65,000 |
| Concussion / Mild TBI | $50,000 |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | $250,000+ |
| Spinal Cord Injury | $500,000+ |
Source: SetCalc settlement data analysis based on attorney-reported outcomes, 2026
Average Settlement by State
Why Insurance First Offers Are 3-5x Too Low
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Understanding these tactics helps you avoid leaving money on the table:
- • Quick settlement offers before you know your injury's full extent
- • Requesting recorded statements that can be used against you
- • Disputing medical treatment as "unnecessary"
- • Blaming pre-existing conditions for your injuries
Average Outcome Comparison
Knowing your case value is the first step to fair compensation.
Find out what your specific case is worth — free and no obligation.
Calculate My Settlement Estimate
Taking a Hum[ai]n Approach
Connecting with the right attorney to help make sense of the estimate is critical to making an educated decision.
This provides valuable insight before accepting or rejecting an offer from the insurance company, which can make a significant difference in the amount of compensation you receive.
Get My Case ValueHow it Works
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Attorney reviews to ensure accuracy, then contacts you to provide estimate.
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Enter details about your car accident. SetCalc's AI will analyze your case and estimate its value.
Attorney Reviews Estimate
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What is SetCalc?
Trained on Massive Data
SetCalc's AI has analyzed over 175 billion data points — more than any other settlement calculator. This includes millions of real case outcomes.
Learns from Real Settlements
By studying actual car accident settlements and the factors that influenced them, SetCalc predicts what your specific case may be worth.
Understands Your Story
Unlike basic calculators that use simple formulas, SetCalc's AI understands natural language. Describe what happened in your own words.
Location-Specific Analysis
The same injury can be worth 10x more in one state vs another. SetCalc factors in your location's laws, insurance requirements, and settlement trends.
What Makes SetCalc Special?
SetCalc is the only settlement calculator that combines advanced AI with real attorney review — completely free.
Most calculators use simple formulas: multiply your medical bills by 2 or 3. That's not how real settlements work. Your case value depends on dozens of factors: the severity of your injuries, your state's laws, the at-fault driver's insurance limits, your age, occupation, and much more.
SetCalc's AI understands these nuances because it's been trained on real settlement outcomes. And because every estimate is reviewed by a local attorney, you can trust the number you receive.
Location Matters. A Lot.
The same injury can be worth 10x more
depending on where the accident happened.
SetCalc factors in your state's laws and average settlements.
Here's why location is so critical:
New York's average settlement is nearly 10x the national average. California's is over 6x higher. Your state's insurance requirements, comparative negligence rules, and jury tendencies dramatically affect your case value. Generic calculators ignore location — SetCalc doesn't.
An estimate that ignores location could be 5-10x too low.
Accepting a lowball offer because you didn't know better means paying medical bills out of pocket and missing out on the pain and suffering compensation you're entitled to.
What Affects Your Car Accident Settlement
Settlement amounts vary widely because every case is different. Here are the key factors:
1Injury Severity
More severe injuries = higher settlements. A herniated disc requiring surgery is worth significantly more than whiplash that heals in weeks. Permanent injuries, chronic pain, and disabilities dramatically increase case value.
2Medical Expenses
Your medical bills form the foundation of your claim. This includes emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and future treatment. Higher bills generally correlate with higher settlements.
3Lost Income & Earning Capacity
If your injuries caused you to miss work or reduced your ability to earn in the future, you can claim these losses. A surgeon who can't operate anymore has a much larger claim than someone in a desk job.
4Insurance Policy Limits
You generally can't recover more than the at-fault driver's insurance limits. If they have a $50,000 policy and your damages are $200,000, you may need to pursue other avenues like your own underinsured coverage.
5Fault & Liability
Clear liability (the other driver was 100% at fault) leads to higher settlements. If you share fault, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of responsibility in most states.
6Pain & Suffering
Beyond economic damages, you're entitled to compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic losses. This often makes up a significant portion of settlements.
Real Car Accident Settlement Results
See how SetCalc helped others understand their case value and achieve better outcomes.
Initial Offer
$12,000
Final Settlement
$85,000
"SetCalc showed me my case was worth so much more than what insurance offered. I'm so glad I didn't accept that first lowball offer."
M.R.
Los Angeles, CA
Initial Offer
$30,000
Final Settlement
$145,000
"They tried to use my old back issues against me. SetCalc helped me prove the accident made everything worse."
A.B.
Atlanta, GA
Real Stories, Real Results
Join thousands who have used SetCalc to understand their settlement value
"SetCalc gave me a clear picture of what my case was worth. The attorney who reviewed my estimate was incredibly helpful and answered all my questions. I ended up getting 3x what the insurance company first offered!"
Michael R.
Los Angeles, CA • Auto Accident
Settlement: $100,000
"I was hesitant at first, but the process was completely free and took less than 5 minutes. The estimate was spot-on and helped me negotiate better with insurance. Highly recommend!"
Sarah T.
Houston, TX • Slip and Fall
Settlement: $60,000
"After my Uber accident, I had no idea where to start. SetCalc connected me with a local attorney who specialized in rideshare cases. The whole process was seamless."
Jennifer L.
Chicago, IL • Uber Accident
Settlement: $75,000
"The AI estimate was surprisingly accurate. My attorney said it matched his assessment almost exactly. This tool saved me so much time and stress during a difficult period."
David M.
Phoenix, AZ • Motorcycle Accident
Settlement: $150,000
"I appreciated that everything was explained clearly and there was no pressure. The attorney who called me was professional and genuinely wanted to help, not just sign me up."
Amanda K.
Miami, FL • Pedestrian Accident
Settlement: $110,000
Car Accident Settlement FAQs
Car Accident Resources by State
Settlement values vary dramatically by state. Find resources specific to where your accident occurred.
Related Guides
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