When people say “settlement,” they’re often referring to a negotiated payment that may include:
- Medical bills and future treatment tied to the crash
- Wage loss (including time you couldn’t work after the wreck)
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic harms supported by medical documentation
- Out-of-pocket costs like medications, transportation to appointments, and certain household needs
In practice, insurers don’t pay based on what you hope the crash cost you—they pay based on what can be documented and defended. That’s why your “inputs” matter more than the formula.


