Patent ID: 7848938

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of estimating liability for a vehicle accident, comprising: estimating a base liability of a party involved in a vehicle accident using a computer system, wherein the base liability is a portion of the liability of the party for the accident that is independent of factors specific to: condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident; estimating an effect of one or more factors specific to: condition of vehicles in the accident, condition of drivers in the accident, actions of drivers in the accident, and environmental conditions common to vehicles in the accident, on the liability of the party, using the computer system; determining an estimate of liability of the party using the computer system, wherein the estimate of liability is at least partially based on: the base liability as modified by one or more of the estimated factors; or the base liability as modified by an absolute liability value if one or more criteria are met, wherein the absolute liability value applies regardless of the effect of at least one of the estimated factors.