Most people use a calculator to get a ballpark figure. That’s helpful for planning, but it’s not the same as a settlement valuation.
In practice, an insurer’s evaluation in California tends to turn on:
- Fault and causation (who is legally responsible and how the crash caused the injuries)
- Medical documentation (what providers recorded, how quickly treatment occurred, and whether symptoms are consistent)
- Proof of real losses (bills, wage impact, and functional impairment)
That means two riders with similar injuries can end up with very different outcomes depending on how clearly the crash is supported by evidence.


