North Carolina Personal Injury Settlement Calculator

What the North Carolina Personal Injury Settlement Calculator Does

This calculator gives you an estimated settlement amount for your personal injury claim. It uses simple math and legal principles that North Carolina courts and insurance companies often apply when determining case value.

Here’s what it takes into account:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages (past and future)
• Property damage
• Injury severity and recovery time
• Attorney’s fees and case costs
• Insurance policy limits
• Your share of fault (if any)

The calculator instantly combines these details to estimate:

• Total settlement value
• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages (like pain and suffering)
• Your net recovery — what you might actually take home after fees and costs

Why Fault Matters So Much in North Carolina

North Carolina has one of the strictest fault rules in the country — called contributory negligence.

That means:

If you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any damages.

The calculator includes this rule automatically. If you select “Yes” to being at fault, it will show an estimated recovery of $0, reflecting North Carolina’s harsh contributory negligence law.

This rule makes it critical to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your situation before assuming you can’t recover.

How the Calculator Estimates Settlement Value

Here’s how each part of the calculator contributes to your estimate:

1. Economic Damages

These are your direct financial losses:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehab, medications, etc.)
• Lost income (time off work, reduced earning ability)
• Property damage (like vehicle repair costs)

These numbers are added up directly.

2. Non-Economic Damages

These represent your pain, emotional distress, and long-term suffering.
The calculator multiplies your medical expenses and lost wages by a severity factor:

This gives you a realistic range of possible pain-and-suffering damages.

3. Insurance Policy Limits

Even if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy, your settlement can’t exceed that limit unless additional coverage applies.
The calculator automatically caps your estimated settlement if it’s higher than the insurance limit you enter.

4. Attorney’s Fees and Case Costs

Personal injury lawyers in North Carolina typically charge:

• Around 33.3% if settled before litigation
• Up to 40% if the case goes to court

The calculator subtracts these fees, plus any case costs or medical liens, so you can see your net recovery — what you might actually take home.

Example of a Settlement Estimate

Let’s say:

• Medical Expenses: $15,000
• Lost Wages: $5,000
• Property Damage: $8,000
• Injury Severity: Moderate (3x multiplier)
• Policy Limit: $100,000
• Attorney Fee: 33.3%
• Case Costs: $2,500

Here’s how it breaks down:

This is only an example — real-world settlements can vary widely depending on evidence, liability, insurance, and negotiation skill.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator is meant for informational purposes only.
It does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee an outcome.

Because North Carolina follows strict contributory negligence, even minor fault can eliminate your right to compensation. Always speak with a qualified personal injury attorney to review your case before assuming your options are limited.

Try the North Carolina Personal Injury Settlement Calculator

You can try the calculator right on this page. Just enter your numbers — medical costs, lost wages, and other key details — and hit “Calculate Estimate.”

It will instantly show your:

• Estimated total settlement
• Economic and non-economic damages
• Attorney’s fee breakdown
• Net recovery after costs

This gives you a clear, easy-to-understand snapshot of what your claim might be worth — all before you even speak to a lawyer.

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