InjuryCompass Editorial Team · Last reviewed October 29, 2026 · How we research The adjuster’s math in one line Economic damagesMedical bills and lost income they accept as related and reasonable + General damagesPain, limits on daily life, scored from your medical records × Their liabilityReduced by the share of fault they assign to you
Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we research: How We Research Who do you actually file a claim with after a car accident: your insurer, the other driver’s, or both? The answer depends on who was at fault, whether you live in a no-fault state and what coverage you carry. Most accidents involve two separate
Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we research: How We Research Brain injuries are often called “invisible injuries.” Someone can walk away from a crash with no cuts or broken bones, pass a CT scan, and still struggle for months with headaches, memory lapses, irritability and exhaustion. Because nothing shows on the outside, these claims
Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we research: How We Research Back injuries are among the most common injuries in car accidents, falls and workplace incidents, and among the most disputed. A broken leg is obvious on an X-ray. Back pain often isn’t, and insurers know that many adults already have some wear and tear
Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we research: How We Research A broken bone changes an injury claim. Unlike whiplash or a sprain, a fracture shows up clearly on an X-ray, so there is little room for an insurer to argue you weren’t really hurt. That is one reason fracture claims usually settle for more
Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we research: How We Research Two patients suffer the same surgical error, with the same lifelong pain. One lives in New York, the other in Texas. If a jury awards each of them $2 million for pain and suffering, the New York patient can keep the full award, while