Most calculators work like a “damage snapshot.” You enter details such as:
- where the crash happened and how it occurred
- the type of injuries and treatment you’ve received
- medical and wage-loss amounts
- whether you expect ongoing care
Then you get a rough range.
In Gardner, the parts that most often make calculator estimates miss the mark are usually evidence timing and injury documentation. For example, if your first medical visit didn’t clearly connect symptoms to the crash—or if follow-up care lagged while you tried to “push through”—insurers may argue your injuries weren’t caused by the accident. A generic tool can’t account for that.
Bottom line: use a calculator to organize your questions, not to predict the final settlement number.


