South Carolina Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Estimate your potential settlement based on South Carolina guidelines.
Estimated Settlement Range
Economic Damages: $0
Non-Economic Damages: $0
Total Property Damage: $0
Est. Total (Before Fault): $0
Fault Reduction (0%): $0
Est. Final Payout: $0
Disclaimer: This is a simplified estimate for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. The final payout is capped by the at-fault driver’s insurance limits. Under South Carolina’s “Modified Comparative Negligence” (51% Bar) law, you are barred from *any* recovery from the at-fault driver if your fault is 51% or greater.
What Is a Car Accident Settlement Calculator?
A car accident settlement calculator is a free tool that estimates how much compensation you might receive after a crash. It considers:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Vehicle damage
- Injury severity
- Your share of fault
- Insurance policy limits
- Other legal and practical factors
This calculator is custom-built for South Carolina, so it reflects local laws, like the Modified Comparative Negligence Rule and minimum insurance requirements.
How the South Carolina Calculator Works
Here’s what makes this calculator smart and specific to SC law:
1. Medical and Financial Costs
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages from time off work
- Recovery duration
2. Property Damage
- Value of your car before the accident
- Severity of the damage (rated on a scale from minor to totaled)
3. Injury Severity Multiplier
Based on your injuries, the calculator applies a multiplier:
- 1.5x for minor injuries (bruises, whiplash)
- 2.5x–5.0x+ for more serious injuries (surgery, spinal damage)
These multipliers are standard in injury settlements. They help estimate pain and suffering, also known as non-economic damages.
4. Fault Percentage
Under South Carolina’s 51% Bar Rule, if you’re 51% or more at fault, you get nothing. If you’re under that threshold, your payout is reduced proportionally.
Example:
If you’re awarded $100,000 but found 25% at fault, you receive $75,000.
5. Insurance Caps
Even if your damages are sky-high, insurance limits matter. In South Carolina, the state minimum coverage is:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
If the at-fault driver only has the minimum, your payout can’t exceed those amounts unless you sue personally or use your own underinsured coverage.
6. Bonus Factors That Can Increase Payout
The calculator includes yes/no options that affect your estimated settlement:
- Police report filed
- Independent witnesses
- You hired a lawyer
- DUI involved (on the other side)
- Commercial vehicle hit you
- Pre-existing conditions (can reduce value)
These factors change the injury multiplier, which can boost your total compensation significantly.
Example: How a Settlement Estimate Might Look
Let’s say:
- You have $8,000 in medical bills
- You lost $2,000 in wages
- Your car was worth $12,000
- You were 10% at fault
- You had moderate injuries
- You hired a lawyer and there was a police report
Here’s how the calculator might break that down:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Economic Damages | $10,000 |
| Non-Economic (Multiplier: 3.0) | $24,000 |
| Property Damage | ~$10,000 |
| Total Before Fault | $44,000 |
| Fault Deduction (10%) | -$4,400 |
| Estimated Payout | $39,600 |
(Note: capped by insurance limits if applicable.)
Why South Carolina Law Matters
South Carolina follows a Modified Comparative Negligence system:
- 50% or less at fault? You can recover damages (reduced by your percentage).
- 51% or more at fault? You get nothing.
This rule is critical. That’s why the calculator instantly blocks estimates if you enter 51% fault or higher.
Who Should Use This Calculator?
This tool is built for:
- Injured drivers and passengers
- People dealing with car damage
- Anyone unsure how fault and coverage affect their claim
It’s ideal before talking to a lawyer, to get a ballpark idea of what you might expect.
Is It Accurate?
It’s not legal advice, and it can’t predict court outcomes or settlement negotiations. But it’s:
- Based on real calculation logic
- Modeled on standard injury multipliers
- Reflective of SC insurance law and fault rules
For a real claim, always consult with a qualified personal injury attorney in South Carolina.
Tips to Maximize Your Settlement
- Document everything: medical bills, car repairs, wage loss.
- Get a police report.
- Hire an attorney if injuries are moderate or worse.
- Take photos and get witness info at the scene.
- Be honest about fault—but don’t take more blame than you deserve.
Final Reminder: It’s an Estimate, Not a Verdict
This calculator gives you a ballpark range—not a final number. Real settlement values depend on evidence, lawyers, adjusters, and sometimes juries.
But if you’re looking for a starting point, this is one of the best tools out there for South Carolina drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I still get a settlement if I was partly at fault?
Yes—if you’re 50% or less at fault.
Q: What if the other driver has no insurance?
You may need to use uninsured motorist coverage (UM) on your own policy.
Q: Can I include emotional distress?
Yes, that’s part of non-economic damages estimated by the multiplier.
Q: Is there a deadline to file?
Yes. South Carolina’s statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of the accident.
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