A car accident can leave you with medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected expenses. Our car accident settlement calculator is designed to help you estimate potential compensation for damages resulting from an accident in New York.
It considers key factors such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. This tool provides a general estimate of what your claim may be worth.
While this calculator is a helpful starting point, it cannot replace legal advice. Every case is unique, and the best way to understand your potential settlement is to consult our New York City car accident lawyers for a personalized case evaluation.
Using our car accident calculator
Our calculator considers multiple factors to estimate your potential settlement. Enter the details below to get an estimated compensation amount.
- Total past medical bills ($): Enter the total amount of medical expenses you’ve been billed for due to your injury. Include all costs, even if covered by insurance.
- Estimated future medical expenses ($) (Optional if unknown): If you expect ongoing treatment, enter the estimated cost of future medical care.
- Have your medical bills exceeded New York’s $50,000 no-fault coverage limit? (Yes/No): Pain & suffering damages are only available if medical costs exceed this limit or if you meet the serious injury threshold.
- Lost wages due to injury ($) (Beyond no-fault coverage): Enter the total income lost due to your injury. No-fault insurance covers up to $2,000/month for 3 years—only enter wages beyond this limit.
- Expected future lost income ($) (Optional if unknown): If your injury affects your ability to work long-term, estimate your future lost earnings.
- Repair/replacement cost of damaged property ($) (For uninsured losses): Enter the repair or replacement cost of property damaged in the accident (e.g., your vehicle). If covered by insurance, do not include.
- Special damages ($) (Other financial losses related to the accident): If your accident caused additional out-of-pocket costs (e.g., rental car fees, transportation costs, in-home care, modifications to your home for disability), enter the total here.
- Do you meet the “serious injury” threshold? (Yes/No/Unsure): Pain & suffering damages only apply if your injury qualifies as serious under New York law (e.g., fractures, disfigurement, disability for 90+ days).
- Pain & suffering multiplier (1-5 scale) (Enabled only if serious injury threshold is met): Choose a number from 1 (minor injury) to 5 (severe or permanent injury) to estimate pain & suffering damages.
- Percentage of fault assigned to you (0%-99%): Enter the percentage of fault (if any) assigned to you. Your compensation will be reduced by this percentage, but you can still recover damages even if mostly at fault under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule.
- Defendant’s insurance policy limit ($) (Optional if unknown): If you know the at-fault driver’s insurance limit, enter it here. If unknown, the default is New York’s minimum coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
- Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage ($) (Optional if unknown): If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your UM/UIM policy may cover additional damages. Select from $25k, $50k, $100k, $250k, or "Unknown".
Disclaimer: The result from this calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Injury Settlement Calculator
For a more accurate assessment based on your calculator results, our Queens car accident lawyer will review your case and help you pursue the maximum compensation available.
Types of damages to include in our car settlement calculator
Car accident settlements in New York include different types of damages that impact the final compensation amount.
1. Economic damages
These damages cover financial losses directly caused by the accident.
- Medical expenses: Includes hospital bills, emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescription costs. Under Article 51 of the NY Insurance Law, no-fault insurance covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses, but costs beyond this must be recovered through a lawsuit.
- Future medical costs: If ongoing treatment is necessary, future medical bills, such as physical therapy or long-term care, must be estimated. Hospitals like Bellevue Hospital, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone provide cost breakdowns for procedures.
- Lost wages: If you missed work due to your injuries, you can recover lost income beyond what the New York Workers’ Compensation Board allows. No-fault insurance covers only 80% of wages up to $2,000 per month for three years, but additional lost wages must be pursued in a lawsuit.
- Property damage: Covers vehicle repairs, replacement costs, or uninsured property losses, such as electronics or valuables damaged in the crash.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: This includes transportation costs for medical visits, in-home care, and modifications to accommodate disabilities caused by the accident.
Some accident-related costs are covered by New York no-fault insurance, but significant expenses—such as long-term care, lost wages beyond no-fault limits, and pain and suffering damages—must be pursued in a personal injury lawsuit. Many injured drivers don’t realize that insurers may dispute medical expenses or wage claims, making legal guidance from our lawyers essential to secure full compensation.
Hypothetical scenario (medical expenses & lost wages): A driver is injured in a rear-end collision, resulting in $65,000 in medical bills and three months of lost wages totaling $15,000. New York no-fault insurance covers the first $50,000 of medical costs and $6,000 in lost wages. The remaining $25,000 must be recovered in a lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance or through a personal injury claim.
2. Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don’t have a direct financial cost but still impact the victim’s quality of life. These damages can significantly influence settlement amounts, but their calculation is subjective and depends on legal standards and case precedents.
- Pain and suffering: Includes physical pain, discomfort, and long-term suffering caused by the accident. Under NY Insurance Law § 5102(d), pain and suffering damages are only available if the injury meets the serious injury threshold such as a fracture, permanent limitation, or disability lasting more than 90 days.
- Emotional distress: Covers mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or insomnia.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Applies when injuries prevent the victim from engaging in hobbies, sports, or daily activities they previously enjoyed. This can significantly affect quality of life, particularly in cases of permanent disability.
- Loss of consortium: If an injury impacts relationships with a spouse or family members, compensation may be awarded for loss of companionship, affection, or intimacy. This is often claimed in severe injury cases.
Hypothetical scenario (pain & suffering): A pedestrian is struck by a speeding driver, suffering multiple fractures and requiring surgery. The medical costs and lost wages total $100,000, but they are also left with chronic pain and PTSD, preventing them from returning to their normal lifestyle. A jury reviews past cases with similar injuries, where pain and suffering awards have ranged between $250,000 and $500,000. Using legal precedents, our lawyers argue for the highest possible compensation.
💡Pain and suffering calculations vary based on case law, jury awards, and specific circumstances of the accident. Some historical verdicts in New York have resulted in multimillion-dollar awards, particularly in cases of permanent disability or severe emotional distress.
Find out how much your car accident case could be worth—contact us today for a free consultation.
Calculating non-economic (pain and suffering) damages from your car accident
Pain and suffering damages are more difficult to quantify than economic damages. The two most common methods used to estimate these damages are the multiplier method and the per diem method.
Courts, insurance companies, and legal professionals rely on past case outcomes, medical assessments, and expert testimony to determine these amounts.
Insurers and courts often reference the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment to assess injury severity, ensuring standardized evaluations. Additionally, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) regulates insurance practices, influencing how claims are processed and settlements determined.
1. Multiplier method
This is the most widely used method for calculating pain and suffering damages. The total economic damages, which include medical bills and lost wages, are multiplied by a number between one and five, depending on the severity of the injury.
Minor injuries typically receive a lower multiplier, while severe or permanent injuries may be assigned a higher number.
Insurance companies and courts rely on past verdicts, medical records, and expert testimony when determining an appropriate multiplier. When an injury leads to long-term disability, chronic pain, or a significant impact on daily life, a higher multiplier is often justified.
Hypothetical example: A driver suffers a fractured leg requiring surgery, leading to sixty thousand dollars in medical bills and twenty thousand dollars in lost wages. The injury causes mobility issues, long-term pain, and emotional distress. Based on similar cases in New York jury verdict reports, a multiplier of three is applied, resulting in two hundred forty thousand dollars in pain and suffering damages.
2. Per diem method
This method assigns a daily dollar amount to pain and suffering and multiplies it by the number of recovery days. It is used less frequently in New York but may be considered in cases where an injury causes ongoing pain without resulting in permanent disability.
The daily rate is often based on the victim’s daily wage or another amount justified by medical evidence. Because insurers tend to challenge high per diem rates, medical assessments, including those referencing American Medical Association guidelines, are important in supporting these claims.
Hypothetical example: A pedestrian suffers soft tissue injuries that cause persistent back pain for six months. If a court assigns two hundred dollars per day for pain and suffering and the injury lasts one hundred eighty days, the total non-economic damages would be thirty-six thousand dollars.
3. Combination of methods
In some cases, courts apply a combination of the per diem and multiplier methods. This approach is more common in cases where injuries cause significant acute pain followed by permanent impairment.
It ensures compensation accounts for both the short-term recovery period and long-term suffering.
Hypothetical example: A motorcyclist suffers multiple fractures requiring hospitalization for three months, followed by a lifetime of chronic pain. The court assigns a per diem rate of two hundred fifty dollars per day for the ninety-day recovery period, totaling twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars. A multiplier of three is then applied to one hundred thousand dollars in economic damages, bringing the pain and suffering award to three hundred thousand dollars. The final amount awarded would be three hundred twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars.
Get expert legal guidance from our Brooklyn car accident attorney—we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
Limitations of any car accident payout calculator
Car accident settlement calculators provide a useful estimate of potential compensation, but they have limitations. These tools rely on user input and general formulas, meaning they cannot account for legal complexities, negotiation tactics, or unique case factors that influence actual settlements.
Below are some key limitations to keep in mind:
Doesn’t replace our legal advice and experience
A settlement calculator can estimate damages, but it does not replace the expertise of our lawyers. Insurance companies use case law, medical records, and policy limits to evaluate claims, and negotiations often determine the final payout.
Hypothetical example: A driver enters $50,000 in medical bills and $20,000 in lost wages into the calculator, expecting a multiplier-based settlement. However, the at-fault driver’s insurer disputes liability, claiming the injuries predate the accident. Without legal representation, the driver might accept a lower offer or struggle to prove damages. Our lawyers would gather medical records and expert testimony to strengthen the claim.
Non-economic damages are simplified
Pain and suffering damages are highly subjective. A calculator applies a general multiplier, but insurers and courts consider jury verdicts, medical expert evaluations, and long-term impacts when determining compensation. Emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability require in-depth legal arguments, not just a formula.
Hypothetical example: A pedestrian suffers PTSD after a crash but receives a low pain and suffering estimate from the calculator. In reality, similar cases in New York jury verdict reports have resulted in six-figure awards. Without proper legal advocacy, the victim may underestimate the full value of their claim.
Doesn’t factor external elements
Many external factors influence settlements, such as insurance policy limits, available evidence, and state-specific laws. A calculator cannot predict how an insurance adjuster will value a claim or whether the at-fault driver’s coverage is enough to pay full compensation.
Hypothetical example: A driver expects a $200,000 payout based on calculator estimates but later learns the at-fault driver only has New York’s minimum liability coverage of $25,000. Without uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, the available compensation is significantly lower. Our lawyers would explore additional avenues for recovery.
Doesn’t take into account specifics of your case
📌 Every accident is unique, and factors like comparative fault, pre-existing conditions, and disputed liability can impact the final settlement. A calculator does not adjust for these details, but insurance companies will.
Our lawyers analyze medical records, police reports, and witness testimony to counter insurer arguments and maximize compensation.
Hypothetical example: A motorcyclist inputs a 20% fault percentage into the calculator but later learns that New York’s pure comparative negligence law allows recovery even if fault is higher. The insurer initially claims the rider was 50% at fault, reducing the settlement. Our legal team challenges the determination, proving fault was only 10%, increasing the final payout.
Your recovery matters, and so does your case—contact us today for a free consultation
Factors that will likely influence your payout amount
Every car accident settlement is unique, and the final amount depends on more than just medical expenses and lost wages. Knowing these factors can help set realistic expectations.
- Type and duration of medical treatment: Short-term treatments like physical therapy result in lower payouts than long-term care for permanent injuries. Insurers often dispute treatments like chiropractic care or experimental procedures, making legal support essential for validating necessary medical costs.
- Pre-existing medical conditions: If you had prior injuries or health conditions, insurers may argue that the accident did not significantly worsen your condition. Our legal team works with medical professionals to prove how the crash directly impacted your health.
- Quality of evidence: The strength of your case depends on police reports, medical records, expert testimony, and accident scene photos. Weak or missing evidence can reduce your payout, while strong documentation can justify a higher claim.
- Delay in seeking medical attention: If you wait too long to see a doctor, insurers may argue that your injuries were minor or unrelated to the accident. Immediate medical documentation strengthens your claim and ensures you receive the full value of your damages.
- Insurance company negotiation tactics: Adjusters often start with a lowball offer to test whether claimants will accept less than they deserve. Without legal representation, many victims settle for far less than their claim is worth.
- Liability disputes and fault arguments: Even in cases where fault seems clear, insurers may attempt to shift blame. New York’s pure comparative negligence law allows compensation even if you are partially at fault, but each percentage point of fault assigned to you reduces your final payout.
Hypothetical example: A driver suffers a herniated disc after being rear-ended but waits two weeks before seeking treatment. The insurance company argues that the injury was minor and offers $15,000. However, our legal team obtains MRI scans, secures testimony from an orthopedic specialist, and references prior jury verdict reports with similar cases. The insurer increases the offer to $85,000, reflecting the true value of pain and suffering damages.
What to do after a car accident in New York
After a car accident, there are important steps to take to protect your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Even if the crash seemed minor at first,medical issues, insurance complications, and legal concerns can arise later.
Taking the right actions now can strengthen your case:
- Get a copy of your police report: If law enforcement responded to the scene, an official accident report should be available. This document is key in determining fault and proving your claim. If you haven’t already, request a copy from the New York DMV or local police department.
- Follow through with medical treatment: If you’ve already seen a doctor, continue any recommended care. Skipping appointments or stopping treatment early can not only impact your recovery but also weaken your injury claim. If you delayed medical care, it’s still important to get checked—some injuries, like concussions or whiplash, don’t show symptoms immediately.
- Notify your insurance company if you haven’t yet: You are required to report an accident to your insurer within a reasonable timeframe. If you haven’t done so, contact them as soon as possible. Keep your statements factual and avoid admitting fault. If an adjuster pressures you for a recorded statement, we can guide you on how to handle it.
- Keep track of medical expenses and lost wages: If medical bills are piling up, make sure to save every document. If your injuries have kept you from working, maintain records of lost wages, pay stubs, and any employer correspondence. These financial records help us calculate the full value of your claim.
- Determine if your injuries qualify for additional compensation: No-fault insurance in New York covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. However, if your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond no-fault limits. We can review your medical records and determine your options.
- Don’t accept an early settlement offer without legal review: Insurance companies often offer quick settlements that are far below what your case is worth. Before signing anything, let us review the offer to ensure you don’t accept less than you deserve.
- Check your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If the at-fault driver had minimal insurance or none at all, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help cover your damages. Many accident victims aren’t aware of their policy details until we review them.
- Avoid discussing your accident on social media: Anything you post online can be used against you by insurance companies. If you haven’t already, adjust your privacy settings and avoid sharing details about the crash or your injuries.
- Schedule a consultation with our personal injury attorneys: If you haven’t already, now is the time to seek legal guidance. We will assess your case, gather necessary evidence, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you receive full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages.
⚠️Stay consistent with medical care and legal deadlines: Gaps in treatment can be used by insurers to argue your injuries aren’t serious. If you plan to file a personal injury case, it’s also essential to meet all legal deadlines. We’ll ensure your case is handled properly so you don’t lose the compensation you’re entitled to.
Lean on us for expert legal assistance
Our car accident settlement calculator is a helpful starting point for estimating potential compensation. While it provides a general estimate, New York personal injury claims involve legal complexities that require our professional personal injury lawyer evaluation.
At Ajlouny Injury Law, we understand that a serious accident can leave you facing medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery. Our lawyers are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We take a personal approach, ensuring that every client receives direct communication and strategic legal guidance.
Insurance companies often undervalue claims or pressure victims into settling quickly. We push back against lowball offers and work to ensure you recover compensation that reflects the full extent of your damages. Our legal team is available 24/7 and offers free consultations to answer your questions.
Your settlement estimate is just the beginning—let our attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation online or call (718) 521-2251.
Our range of New York settlement calculators that you might find helpful
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FAQs
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New York?
New York law generally allows three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you are filing a no-fault insurance claim, you must do so within 30 days. Missing these deadlines can limit your ability to recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
What if my medical bills exceed the $50,000 no-fault insurance limit?
If your accident-related expenses go beyond the no-fault coverage, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. To do so, your injuries must meet New York’s serious injury threshold. This can include fractures, permanent disability, or significant disfigurement that affects daily life.
What if my injuries require long-term medical care or rehabilitation?
Ongoing medical treatment can significantly increase the value of your claim. Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation and in-home care, should be factored into your settlement. If the insurance company undervalues these costs, legal action may be necessary to ensure full compensation for continued care.
Should I file a claim through my own insurance or the other driver’s insurance?
New York’s no-fault system requires you to file a claim with your own insurance first, regardless of who caused the accident. If your damages exceed policy limits or meet the serious injury threshold, you can pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance through a personal injury claim.
Should I speak with the other driver’s insurance company after an accident?
Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or get you to admit fault. Anything you say can be used against you to reduce your payout. Our lawyers will handle all communications to prevent tactics that reduce your payout.
