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Seattle Car Accidents

Washington car accident settlement calculator

Move the sliders to match your case. The estimate updates as you go, using the multiplier method commonly used to value injury claims, with Washington's fault rule built in.

Move the sliders. Your estimate updates live, with Washington's fault rule built in.

Main injury

Include everything billed, even what PIP or health insurance paid.

2 weeks
0%

Washington reduces your award by your share of fault. It doesn't bar your claim.

Who hit you?

We'll show your Washington filing deadline.

How your number is calculated

These are your numbers from the calculator above. Change a slider and they change here too.

Medical and future care$0
Your multiplier1.5–2.5×
Pain and suffering$0
Medical and future care$0
Lost income$0
Pain and suffering$0
Your fault share0%
Your range$0

What sets your multiplier

The multiplier is the biggest lever in any injury claim. It rises with how serious the injury is and how long it affects your life.

  • 1.5–2.5×

    Neck or back strain

    Whiplash, sprains and bruising that heal with therapy.

  • 2–3.5×

    Broken bone

    Higher with surgery, hardware or a slow recovery.

  • 2.5–4×

    Head injury

    Concussions with lasting headaches, memory or focus problems.

  • 2.5–4×

    Back or disc injury

    Herniated discs, injections or spinal surgery.

  • 4–5×

    Severe or permanent

    Permanent limits, paralysis or injuries that change your work and life.

What pushes it toward the top: surgery, months of treatment, a permanent limitation, clear fault on the other driver, and good records of how the injury affects your day.

What a Washington claim can include

Costs you can add up

  • Medical bills ER visits, imaging, surgery, therapy and prescriptions, past and future.
  • Lost income Wages, tips and paid time off you used while you recovered.
  • Lost earning capacity If the injury limits the work you can do from now on.
  • Out-of-pocket costs Mileage to appointments, rental cars, help at home.

Harms that are harder to price

  • Pain and suffering The physical pain of the injury and the recovery.
  • Emotional distress Anxiety, sleep problems or fear of driving after the crash.
  • Loss of enjoyment Sports, hobbies or time with family you can't do the same way.
  • Scarring or disfigurement Visible, lasting changes from the injury.

Where the money actually comes from

Most settlements are paid by insurance, and more than one policy can be involved. Knowing the layers helps you see how high a claim can realistically go.

  1. First

    Your PIP coverage

    Personal Injury Protection pays early medical bills and lost wages no matter who caused the crash, unless you turned it down in writing.

  2. Main source

    The at-fault driver's liability insurance

    Pays for your damages up to the driver's policy limit. Commercial and rideshare policies are usually far larger than personal ones.

  3. When that's not enough

    Your UIM coverage

    Underinsured motorist coverage can pay the rest when the other driver has too little insurance, none at all, or drove off.

Calculator questions

What is the multiplier method?
It's a common way to put a number on pain and suffering. Your medical costs are multiplied by a factor, usually between 1.5 and 5, that rises with how serious and lasting the injury is. Lost income and medical costs are then added on top.
Why is my range so wide?
Because the multiplier depends on things a calculator can't see: your medical records, how the injury affects daily life, the evidence on fault and the insurance limits. An attorney can narrow it after reviewing your case.
My bills are still coming in. What should I enter?
Enter what you know so far and keep "I'm still being treated" switched on. The calculator adds an estimate for future care, and your range can be updated as new bills arrive.
Do bills my PIP coverage paid still count?
Yes. Enter your total medical bills, including anything PIP or health insurance paid. Those costs are still part of the claim, although your insurer may be repaid from the settlement.
Does Washington cap pain and suffering?
No. The Washington Supreme Court struck down the state's cap on non-economic damages in 1989 (Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp.). What limits most settlements in practice is the insurance available.
Is Seattle Car Accidents a law firm?
No. Seattle Car Accidents connects people hurt in crashes with independent Washington attorneys. Using this tool or sharing your information doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.

Get a second opinion on your number

A Washington car accident attorney reviews your breakdown for free.