In a practical sense, settlement value is what insurers are willing to pay after they estimate:
- How likely they believe their driver caused the crash (liability)
- How serious your injuries appear in records (causation)
- How long the harm lasts (treatment timeline and recovery)
- How credible your story looks compared to reports and evidence
In California, insurers also evaluate claims through the lens of comparative fault. Even a partial contribution can reduce compensation, so the way fault is framed early can affect the outcome.
A calculator can’t review evidence, medical causation, or California-specific defenses—so treat it as a range-building tool, not a prediction.


