Guides
Car Accident Claim Guides
Plain-English guides to car accident claims: diminished value, fault rules, settlement offers, attorney fees and demand letters, written and checked by the ClaimFairly editorial team.
- Insurance claimsHow Insurance Adjusters Calculate a Settlement OfferWhat goes into an adjuster's offer, why the first number is low, and how to respond.
- Fault and state rulesComparative vs Contributory Negligence, ExplainedHow your state splits the blame decides how much you can recover. Here is each rule with real numbers.
- SettlementsHow Attorney Fees and Medical Liens Reduce Your SettlementWhy a $50,000 settlement can turn into $27,000 in your pocket, and what you can do about it.
- Diminished valueThe 17c Formula Explained (and Why It Undervalues Your Car)Where the insurer's 17c diminished value formula came from, how it works, and the three ways it shortchanges you.
- Diminished valueWhat Is Diminished Value and How to Claim ItYour repaired car is worth less than before the crash. Here is how a diminished value claim gets that money back.
Rather see your own numbers?
Our free calculators turn what you read here into a range for your own claim.
