A settlement calculator can be a useful starting point if you treat it like a checklist—not a verdict. The most helpful inputs are the ones you can document:
- Medical bills and treatment dates (including follow-ups)
- Missed work and pay stubs
- Out-of-pocket costs (transportation, prescriptions, mileage for care)
- Property damage you can prove
- Any limitations that affect daily life (work restrictions, mobility limits, therapy needs)
A calculator tends to be less reliable when the case turns on:
- Causation disputes (whether the truck crash caused or worsened your condition)
- Shared fault (Minnesota’s comparative-fault rules can reduce recovery)
- Coverage complexity (multiple policies, trucking company layers, or additional responsible parties)
- Winter/road condition arguments (what was foreseeable and what warnings were provided)


