A “settlement calculator” usually assumes a straightforward timeline: injury → treatment → losses. Real cases—especially head injury cases—are rarely that clean.
In Missoula, common circumstances can complicate valuation:
- Tourist and seasonal traffic increases the chance of serious crashes near high-visibility corridors.
- Pedestrian activity downtown means head impacts can occur in ways that are harder to document than a collision in a controlled setting.
- Outdoor recreation falls (trail injuries, uneven terrain, slip hazards) can lead to delayed diagnosis if symptoms are mistaken for temporary soreness.
When adjusters evaluate a TBI claim, they’re looking for consistency across medical records, accident information, and functional impact. If any link is weak, the “estimated value” from a calculator may not reflect what’s realistic.


