Most calculators work by asking for general details (age, income, incident type) and then producing a number that resembles an average payout. That can feel reassuring—until you learn what these tools typically cannot account for:
- NJ-specific proof issues that decide liability (what was seen, what was documented, what was omitted)
- Causation disputes (defense arguments that the death was caused by something else)
- Insurance positioning—adjusters often value cases differently than a formula does
- Local incident variables that change juror perception, such as lighting, traffic control, roadway conditions, and visibility
A calculator may suggest a broad range, but it can’t review reports, medical timelines, video, or witness credibility. In practice, that’s where Dumont families win—or lose—months of negotiation leverage.


