Korea Traffic Accident Compensation Calculator

Estimate Korean traffic accident compensation — medical cost, lost income, consolation money by injury grade, Hoffman-discounted disability loss, and property damage — then compare it with the insurer offer.

Injury

Property damage

Estimated compensation (after fault)

₩6,250,000

Full damages before fault₩6,250,000
Other party fault applied100%

vs insurer offer

Insurer offer₩2,500,000
Estimated fair amount₩6,250,000
Gap+ ₩3,750,000

The estimate is about 150% above the offer. Consider negotiating or consulting a loss adjuster or lawyer for large gaps.

Injury breakdown (Grade 13)

Medical cost
₩500,000
Lost income
₩2,450,000
Consolation (pain and suffering)
₩1,000,000
Future medical
₩0
Disability (Hoffman)
₩0
Subtotal
₩3,950,000

Property breakdown

Repair
₩2,000,000
Rental car
₩300,000
Diminished value
₩0
Towing
₩0
Other
₩0
Subtotal
₩2,300,000

This calculator is based on Korean traffic accident compensation practice (consolation by injury grade, lost income, and Hoffman-discounted disability loss to retirement age 65). It is a planning estimate, not legal advice, and a real settlement depends on medical records, fault assessment, and evidence. Consider a lawyer or loss adjuster for large claims.

Related calculators

What is the Korea accident compensation calculator?

This tool estimates the compensation a traffic accident victim may receive in South Korea. It combines medical costs, lost income, consolation money, and property damage into an expected settlement, which is useful for checking whether an insurer offer is fair.

The amount varies widely with injury grade, fault ratio, treatment period, and income. Use this calculator to understand the rough range for your situation and to prepare for the settlement negotiation with the insurer.

Korea-based calculator

This tool is based on Korean traffic accident compensation practice, drawing on the Act on Special Cases concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents, the Guarantee of Automobile Accident Compensation Act, and Supreme Court precedent. It is a planning estimate, not legal advice.

  • For victims preparing to settle with an insurer
  • To check whether an insurer offer is reasonable
  • To understand consolation money and medical cost ranges
  • To see how the fault ratio changes the payout
  • To decide whether to settle or litigate

How compensation is structured

Compensation falls into four parts: actual losses, lost earnings, emotional harm, and property damage. Understanding each one helps you avoid losing out during settlement.

1. Actual losses (medical cost)

Costs actually spent because of the accident.

  • Inpatient care: surgery, hospitalization, meals, and tests
  • Outpatient care: visits, physical therapy, oriental medicine, rehab
  • Medication and devices: prescriptions, neck or back braces, wheelchair
  • Future medical cost: the expected cost of continued treatment
  • Nursing care: caregiver cost for serious injuries

2. Lost earnings (time off, disability)

Income you would have earned but for the accident.

  • Lost income during treatment: usually based on the statutory daily wage (about KRW 175,000/day in 2026); if your actual income is higher and provable, that is used instead.
  • Disability loss of earnings: future income lost in proportion to the reduction in working capacity after treatment ends, assessed by the McBride or AMA scale.
  • Working age: by Supreme Court precedent, earnings run to age 65.

3. Emotional harm (consolation money)

Compensation for pain and suffering, set by injury grade.

  • Victim consolation: set by grade (1 to 14); the more severe (closer to grade 1), the higher the amount.
  • Family consolation: separate consolation for family in cases of death or serious injury.
  • Aggravating factors: drunk driving, hit-and-run, or driving without a license can raise the amount.

4. Property damage

Damage to the vehicle and belongings.

  • Repair cost: based on the insurer estimate
  • Rental car: a replacement vehicle during repairs
  • Diminished value: the drop in trade-in value after a repair
  • Total loss: if repair exceeds market value, paid at market value

Understanding injury grades

Injury is graded from 1 (most severe) to 14 (minor). The grade is the core driver of consolation money, so it strongly affects the total.

  • Grade 1 (most severe): persistent vegetative state, blindness in both eyes, quadriplegia. Consolation from about KRW 80 million.
  • Grades 2 to 3 (severe): spinal cord injury, multiple amputations. About KRW 50 to 80 million.
  • Grades 4 to 6 (moderate-severe): major limb impairment, facial disfigurement, organ damage. About KRW 15 to 30 million.
  • Grades 7 to 9 (moderate): fractures, ligament tears, disc injury. About KRW 5 to 15 million.
  • Grades 10 to 11 (mild): simple fracture, dislocation. About KRW 2 to 5 million.
  • Grades 12 to 14 (minor): bruises, sprains, abrasions. About KRW 0.3 to 2 million.

How the grade is decided

  • Based on diagnosis: the grade follows the doctor diagnosis and treatment period.
  • Insurer adjustment: insurers may lower the grade through their own medical advisor.
  • Objection: if you disagree, you can dispute it through medical review or court appraisal.

Understanding the fault ratio

The fault ratio is the share of responsibility for the accident. Your own share reduces your compensation by that percentage.

Common fault examples

  • Signal violation: the violating car is usually 100% at fault.
  • Rear-end: the following car is typically 80 to 100% at fault.
  • Lane change: the changing car is usually 70 to 80% at fault.
  • Intersection: a left-turning car versus a straight car is often 60 to 70% on the turner.
  • Pedestrian: drivers carry a high share; even for jaywalking, the driver is often 30 to 50% at fault.

Effect on the payout

Example

  • Total damages: KRW 10 million
  • Your fault: 30%
  • Reduction: 10 million times 30% = KRW 3 million
  • You receive: KRW 7 million

For bodily injury, the Guarantee of Automobile Accident Compensation Act still guarantees a minimum payout regardless of the victim fault share.

Before you settle

Documents to gather

  • Diagnosis: with the condition and treatment period; keep MRI or CT results too.
  • Medical receipts: hospital, outpatient, medication, and device costs.
  • Police accident report: the official record of time, place, parties, and fault.
  • Income proof: payslips or income certificates for the lost-income claim.

Cautions

  • Do not settle early: settling before treatment ends makes later claims very hard.
  • Confirm any disability: get a disability diagnosis after treatment ends, before settling.
  • Read the release: a clause waiving all future claims blocks later objections.
  • Mind the limitation period: the tort claim generally expires 3 years from the accident.
  • Get expert help: for large claims, consult a traffic accident lawyer or loss adjuster.

Frequently asked questions

How do I judge whether an insurer offer is fair?

Compare the offer with this estimate. If the offer is 70% or less of the estimate, review it. The Korea Legal Aid Corporation (132) offers free consultation, and a loss adjuster can negotiate on equal footing with the insurer.

Can I settle before treatment ends?

It is better to settle after treatment ends; otherwise you cannot claim later costs or disability. For long treatment, you can request an advance payment and settle finally later.

What is the statutory daily wage?

It is the average daily wage of an urban day laborer, about KRW 175,000 in 2026. Victims without income proof (homemakers, students) use it for the lost-income claim.

How is disability loss calculated?

It is working-capacity loss times income times remaining working years, with interim interest discounted by the Hoffman method. This tool runs that calculation for you.

Settle or litigate?

Most cases settle, which is faster and cheaper. Litigation can be worthwhile when the offer is far too low, the fault is disputed, or the disability is serious, though lawyer fees of about 10 to 15% apply and a case can take 6 months to a year.

Is consolation money paid for property-only damage?

Generally no. Consolation money requires bodily injury. Property-only claims usually cover repair, rental car, and diminished value.

Is the compensation taxed?

Compensation is generally tax-free because it restores a loss rather than being income. Some interest portions may be taxable, so confirm with a tax professional.

Related laws

Traffic Accident Settlement Special Cases Act

Governs criminal handling of accidents. Comprehensive insurance can exempt criminal punishment under conditions, but the 12 grave violations (signal violation, center-line crossing, drunk driving, hit-and-run, and others) are punishable regardless of insurance.

Guarantee of Automobile Accident Compensation Act

Protects victims by requiring compulsory insurance and guaranteeing a minimum payout regardless of fault: up to KRW 150 million for death and up to KRW 30 million for injury by grade.

Civil Act (tort, consolation, legal interest)

An accident is a tort under Article 750, and consolation money is claimed under Article 751. The statutory interest rate is 5% per year, and litigation can carry 12% delay interest under the special act on expediting litigation.

Negotiation tips

  • Keep every receipt: including pharmacy and transport costs.
  • Log your treatment: visit dates, content, and pain levels help your case.
  • Do not accept the first offer: insurers open low; negotiate with evidence.
  • Get expert help for large claims: a loss adjuster or lawyer can raise the net payout.
  • Review the release carefully: understand any all-future-claims-waived clause before signing.