Texas Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Get a rough estimate of what a Texas car-accident injury claim might be worth, based on your medical bills and losses. This is an estimate to understand the factors — not a prediction or an offer.
This is a rough estimate, not a prediction or an offer.
No tool can predict a settlement. This uses the common "multiplier method" to show the factors that drive value and a wide range — actual outcomes depend on the facts, the available insurance limits, the venue, and negotiation. Consult a Texas car-accident attorney about your case.
Enter your medical bills and losses to see an estimated range
The multiplier method (pain-and-suffering as a multiple of your medical bills) is a common starting point, not a guarantee. A real recovery is also capped by the available insurance (the at-fault driver's limits, or your own UM/UIM coverage). Most car-accident cases settle; an attorney is the only way to value your specific claim. This tool is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
How the Estimate Works
No tool can predict a car-accident settlement — every case is different and the number depends on the facts, the available insurance, the venue, and negotiation. This calculator applies the multiplier method: it adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage), then estimates pain and suffering as a multiple of your medical bills (about 1.5× for minor injuries up to 5× or more for catastrophic ones), and shows a wide range. It then applies Texas's fault rule and flags the insurance limits that cap a real payout.
Texas Is an at-fault (tort) state
Texas is a traditional at-fault (tort) state. It is NOT one of the 12 no-fault PIP states. The at-fault driver (and their liability insurer) is responsible for damages; an injured party recovers by proving negligence. Texas follows a "fault"/financial-responsibility model under the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (Transportation Code ch. 601), not a no-fault PIP-first model.
Minimum Insurance & UM/UIM in Texas
A settlement is only collectible up to the available insurance. Texas's minimum required liability coverage is $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Many drivers carry only the minimum, so a large claim can exceed the at-fault driver's policy. 30/60/25: $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 bodily injury per accident (total for two or more people), and $25,000 property damage per accident. Set by Transportation Code §601.072(a-1), effective January 1, 2011.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): if the other driver had no insurance or fled the scene, your recovery comes from your own UM/UIM coverage. In Texas, UM/UIM is must be offered (you may reject it in writing). Insurers must provide/offer uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage with every auto liability policy; the named insured may reject it only in writing (Insurance Code §1952.101–.102). Not mandatory to carry, but it cannot be omitted absent a written rejection. UM/UIM is offered at limits up to the policy's liability limits.
Fault & Your Recovery: modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
Texas follows modified comparative negligence (51% bar). Your award is reduced by your share of fault, and you recover nothing once you are 51% or more at fault.
Deadline to File a Texas Car-Accident Claim
Texas generally requires a car-accident injury lawsuit to be filed within 2 years of the crash (the statute of limitations). Two years from the date the cause of action accrues (date of the crash) for personal-injury and wrongful-death auto claims, under Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. Wrongful-death claims accrue on the date of death. Property-damage claims also carry a 2-year limit under §16.003(a). Miss it and your claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
- Texas is a fault (tort) state: the at-fault driver's liability insurer pays your injury and property-damage claim — there is no PIP-first no-fault system.
- Minimum liability coverage is 30/60/25 ($30k per person / $60k per accident bodily injury, $25k property damage) per Transp. Code §601.072.
- Texas uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code ch. 33): you can recover only if you are 50% or less at fault, and your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
- You generally have 2 years from the crash date to file a personal-injury or wrongful-death lawsuit (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003).
- Insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage and PIP ($2,500 minimum); you can reject either only in writing, so check whether you waived them.
- Because there is no no-fault threshold, any injured person can pursue pain-and-suffering (noneconomic) damages directly against the at-fault driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my Texas car accident claim worth?
No one can tell you a number in advance. A rough estimate adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage) and applies a pain-and-suffering multiplier, then adjusts for fault under Texas's modified comparative negligence (51% bar) rule. The real value also depends on the available insurance limits — an attorney is the only way to value your specific case.
Is Texas a no-fault state?
Texas is a traditional at-fault (tort) state. It is NOT one of the 12 no-fault PIP states. The at-fault driver (and their liability insurer) is responsible for damages; an injured party recovers by proving negligence. Texas follows a "fault"/financial-responsibility model under the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (Transportation Code ch. 601), not a no-fault PIP-first model.
Does my own fault reduce my Texas settlement?
Yes. Texas follows modified comparative negligence (51% bar). You recover nothing once you are 51% or more at fault.
How long do I have to file in Texas?
Generally 2 years from the crash. Two years from the date the cause of action accrues (date of the crash) for personal-injury and wrongful-death auto claims, under Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. Wrongful-death claims accrue on the date of death. Property-damage claims also carry a 2-year limit under §16.003(a).
Is this calculator accurate?
It is a rough estimate to show the factors that drive value — not a prediction or an offer. Real settlements vary enormously and are capped by the available insurance. Treat any number here as a ballpark and consult a Texas car-accident attorney.
Disclaimer
This estimator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. The value of a car-accident claim can only be assessed by a licensed attorney reviewing your specific facts.