Washington Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Estimated Settlement & Recovery
Non-Economic Damages: $0.00
What Is a Personal Injury Settlement Calculator?
A personal injury settlement calculator is a tool that helps you estimate how much money you might receive if you file (or settle) a personal injury claim.
The calculator considers:
- Your medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Severity of your injury
- How much you were at fault
- Whether you hired a lawyer
- Insurance policy limits
All of this is based on Washington’s comparative fault system (more on that below).
How the Washington Calculator Works
The Washington Personal Injury Calculator is designed with local laws in mind. Here’s how it works, step by step.
1. You Enter Your Data
You’ll fill in:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Your estimated fault (0–99%)
- Injury severity (minor to severe)
- Attorney fees (if any)
- Case costs or medical liens
- Insurance policy limits (if known)
2. It Applies a Multiplier
To estimate non-economic damages (like pain and suffering), the calculator multiplies your medical + wage losses by:
- 1.5 for minor injuries
- 3.0 for moderate injuries
- 4.5 for severe injuries
This is a common method used by attorneys and insurance adjusters.
3. Comparative Fault Is Applied
Washington uses a pure comparative fault rule. That means your settlement is reduced by the percentage of fault you share.
Example:
If your damages total $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, your estimated settlement becomes $80,000.
4. It Checks Policy Limits
If the at-fault party’s insurance only covers $50,000, your payout might be capped — even if your case is worth more.
5. Attorney Fees and Costs Are Subtracted
If you choose to work with a lawyer, most take around 33.3% to 40% of the final settlement, depending on whether litigation has started. The calculator shows what’s left for you after these deductions.
Key Terms Made Simple
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Economic Damages | Your actual losses – medical bills, lost income, property repair |
| Non-Economic Damages | Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment |
| Comparative Fault | A rule that reduces your settlement if you’re partially responsible |
| Policy Limits | The max amount the at-fault party’s insurance will pay |
| Attorney’s Fee | The percentage of your settlement paid to your lawyer |
| Net Recovery | The amount you walk away with after deductions |
Why Use a Settlement Calculator?
Besides saving time and giving peace of mind, here’s what the calculator can do for you:
- Set realistic expectations: Know if your case is worth $5,000 or $50,000.
- Plan better: Anticipate legal fees, case costs, and possible settlement caps.
- Be informed before negotiation: Avoid lowball offers from insurers.
- Decide if hiring a lawyer is worth it: See how attorney fees affect your take-home recovery.
What the Calculator Doesn’t Do
This tool is helpful, but it’s not a lawyer. It doesn’t:
- Replace legal advice
- Guarantee results
- Factor in punitive damages or future complications
- Predict trial outcomes
Always consult with a qualified Washington personal injury attorney for accurate guidance.
A Note on Washington’s Comparative Fault Rule
Washington is one of the few states that uses pure comparative negligence. This means you can still recover money even if you were 99% at fault. However, the more you’re at fault, the smaller your recovery.
The calculator automatically adjusts your estimate based on this rule.