Iowa Personal Injury Settlement Calculator

What the Iowa Personal Injury Settlement Calculator Does

This calculator gives you a rough settlement estimate for an Iowa personal injury claim.
It factors in both economic damages (like medical bills and lost income) and non-economic damages (like pain, suffering, and emotional distress).

It also adjusts for:

• Your percentage of fault under Iowa’s comparative negligence rule
• Attorney fees and case costs
• Insurance policy limits that might cap your recovery

In short, it helps you see what your net recovery might look like after all the key deductions.

How Iowa’s Comparative Fault Rule Impacts Your Settlement

Iowa uses what’s called a modified comparative fault system.
Here’s what that means in simple terms:

• You can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault.
• If you are 51% or more at fault, you get nothing.
• Your total settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example:
If your damages total $100,000 but you were 20% at fault, your final recovery would be reduced by 20% — leaving you with $80,000.

The calculator automatically applies this reduction for you.

How to Use the Calculator Step-by-Step

The tool is designed to be intuitive, but here’s a quick guide so you can get the most accurate estimate possible:

1. Enter Your Percentage of Fault

Estimate how much of the accident was your fault — from 0% to 50%.
If you’re unsure, you can start with 0% to see your maximum possible settlement.

2. Add Up Your Medical Expenses

Include both past and future medical costs.
That means doctor visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, medication, or any other healthcare expense related to your injury.

3. Enter Your Lost Wages

If your injury kept you from working, enter the total of past and expected lost income.
If you can’t return to work in the same capacity, estimate your future lost earning potential too.

4. Add Property Damage

This includes vehicle repair costs, damaged belongings, or other property losses.

5. Choose Your Injury Severity

The calculator uses a multiplier to estimate pain and suffering damages:

• Minor injuries (1.5x) – like bruises or sprains
• Moderate injuries (3x) – such as broken bones
• Severe injuries (4.5x) – including long-term or life-altering conditions

This multiplier affects your non-economic damages, which are often the largest part of a settlement.

6. Enter the Policy Limit (Optional)

If you know the at-fault party’s insurance policy limit, enter it.
The calculator will cap your potential settlement at that amount if your damages exceed it.

7. Choose the Attorney Fee

You can select from:

• 33.3% – Standard pre-litigation contingency fee
• 40% – Typical post-litigation or trial contingency fee
• 0% – If you are representing yourself (not recommended)

8. Add Case Costs or Liens (Optional)

Include any medical liens, court filing costs, or other expenses that will be deducted from your recovery.

Then click “Calculate Estimate.”

The calculator instantly shows:

• Total Settlement Value (before deductions)
• Breakdown of Economic and Non-Economic Damages
• Attorney Fees and Case Costs
• Your Net Recovery (Final Amount You Keep)

Example: How the Calculation Works

Let’s walk through an example:

Step 1:
Economic Damages = $15,000 + $5,000 + $8,000 = $28,000

Step 2:
Non-Economic Damages = ($15,000 + $5,000) × 3.0 = $60,000

Step 3:
Total Value = $88,000

Step 4:
Reduced by 10% fault = $79,200

Step 5:
Attorney Fee (33.3%) = $26,376
Case Costs = $2,500

Your Net Recovery = $79,200 – $26,376 – $2,500 = $50,324

That’s your estimated take-home amount after all deductions.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator gives a rough estimate only.
It’s not legal advice, and your actual settlement may differ based on many factors such as:

• Evidence strength
• Insurance negotiations
• Medical documentation
• Jury attitudes (if the case goes to trial)

Always consult a qualified Iowa personal injury attorney before making decisions about your case.
They can help you understand the full value of your claim — and often, increase it through skilled negotiation.

Why This Calculator Matters

Understanding the numbers behind your claim helps you:

• Set realistic expectations early
• Plan for medical and financial recovery
• Decide if it’s worth hiring a lawyer
• Prepare for settlement discussions confidently

With just a few inputs, you’ll get a clearer picture of what your case could be worth under Iowa law.

Try the Iowa Personal Injury Settlement Calculator

Ready to estimate your case value?
Enter your information into the fields above and click “Calculate Estimate.”

You’ll see your potential settlement breakdown, including reductions for fault, attorney fees, and case costs — all in one clear, simple view.