Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement Calculator

What Is the Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement Calculator?

The Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement Calculator is an interactive online tool that estimates the potential value of your accident claim.

It uses Pennsylvania-specific rules, including:

• Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule)
• Full Tort vs. Limited Tort insurance policies
• Pay-to-Play Law for uninsured drivers
• Policy limits of the at-fault driver

You simply enter your numbers — such as medical expenses, lost income, vehicle damage, and level of injury — and it calculates an estimated payout range based on state guidelines.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator doesn’t just add up numbers. It simulates how insurance adjusters and personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania estimate settlements.

Here’s how it breaks it down:

1. Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)

These include:

• Medical bills (current and future)
• Lost wages from missed work
• Out-of-pocket recovery expenses

Example: If your medical bills are $8,000 and you lost $2,000 in wages, your economic damages = $10,000.

2. Non-Economic Damages (Pain & Suffering)

This is where things vary. The calculator uses a multiplier method — multiplying your medical costs by a number based on your injury severity:

These multipliers can increase if:

• The at-fault driver was DUI or driving a commercial vehicle
• You have independent witnesses or a police report
• You have legal representation

3. Property Damage (Vehicle Value)

The calculator estimates the property damage claim based on:

• The pre-accident vehicle value
• The severity of damage (from minor dents to total loss)

If your car was totaled, you’ll likely recover up to its full pre-accident value, capped by the at-fault driver’s property damage insurance limit.

4. Policy Type: Full Tort vs. Limited Tort

Pennsylvania is one of the few states with this distinction:

• Full Tort: You can claim both economic and non-economic damages.
• Limited Tort: You can claim only economic damages unless your injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold — such as permanent impairment or disfigurement.

The calculator automatically adjusts your result based on your chosen policy type and whether your injury qualifies as “serious.”

5. Fault Percentage (Comparative Negligence)

Pennsylvania follows a Modified Comparative Negligence rule:

• If you are 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover anything.
• If you’re less than 51% at fault, your payout is reduced proportionally.

Example:
If your total claim is $100,000 and you’re 20% at fault, your final payout = $80,000.

6. Insurance Limits

The calculator factors in the at-fault driver’s policy limits, typically:

• $15,000 for bodily injury (BI)
• $5,000 for property damage (PD)

Even if your damages exceed these limits, your recovery is capped unless there’s umbrella coverage or multiple liable parties.

Example Calculation

Let’s say you enter:

• Medical bills: $10,000
• Lost wages: $3,000
• Future medical: $2,000
• Vehicle value: $15,000
• Fault: 10%
• Injury: Moderate (2.5× multiplier)

Result:

• Economic damages = $15,000
• Non-economic damages = $25,000 (2.5× multiplier)
• Property damage = $10,000
• Pre-fault total = $50,000
• Fault reduction (10%) = -$5,000
• Final payout: ~$45,000 (before insurance caps)

If the at-fault driver’s BI limit is $15,000, your total recovery may be capped at that level — showing why coverage details matter.

When Non-Economic Damages Are Barred

Two situations block pain & suffering damages in Pennsylvania:

1. Uninsured drivers — barred under the Pay-to-Play Law
2. Limited Tort policyholders without a “serious injury”

The calculator flags these automatically and updates your total accordingly.

Advanced Factors That Affect Your Estimate

To make your estimate more accurate, the calculator lets you select optional factors such as:

• Police report filed
• Witnesses present
• Attorney representation
• Commercial or DUI-involved vehicle
• Pre-existing conditions

Each factor slightly raises or lowers your settlement range using logic similar to how insurance adjusters evaluate claims.

Why Use a Settlement Calculator?

Because it gives you realistic expectations before speaking to an attorney or insurance adjuster.

You’ll understand:

• The range of your potential settlement
• How fault or coverage limits affect your payout
• Whether you’re eligible for pain & suffering damages
• How attorney involvement may influence outcomes

It’s not legal advice — but it’s a powerful starting point.

Legal Disclaimer

The Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement Calculator is for educational purposes only.
It provides an estimated range based on typical state guidelines and assumptions — not an official valuation.

Actual settlement amounts depend on:

• Verified medical evidence
• Insurance coverage details
• Legal representation
• Negotiation outcomes

For personalized guidance, always consult a Pennsylvania car accident attorney.

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