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Texas Burns / Lacerations Settlements:
Real Case Outcomes & Data

Burns / Lacerations cases from motor vehicle accidents can vary significantly in severity and outcome. These cases involve injuries that may require medical treatment, rehabilitation, and can impact quality of life. Settlement values depend on injury severity, medical expenses, recovery time, and long-term effects on the victim's daily activities and ability to work.

Last updated: February 2026

High-Level Statistics

$36,240,000

Median award/settlement

$500,000$41,936,423

Typical range (25th-75th percentile)

Other

Most common accident type

8+

Cases analyzed

Burns / Lacerations
Verdict-Plaintiff
$42,000,000

One driver was operating a vehicle that had previously been repaired by an auto maintenance company. The vehicle was later struck by another vehicle, causing it to catch fire. The occupants of the first vehicle sustained injuries and burns. It was discovered that the previous repairs were not performed to manufacturer specifications, potentially compromising the vehicle's safety.

Dallas County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$41,936,423

One driver was traveling on a highway during a rainstorm when another driver struck their vehicle. The collision caused the vehicle to catch fire, and the occupants sustained severe injuries, including burns and crush injuries. The occupants sued the collision center that had previously repaired the car's roof, alleging negligent repair compromised the vehicle's structural integrity and led to the fire and their injuries. The defense argued the other driver was solely responsible for the accident.

Dallas County • 2017
Settlement
$41,935,624

One driver's vehicle had its roof improperly repaired with glue instead of welds. Later, when another vehicle hydroplaned and struck it, the roof detached, causing severe injuries to the occupants. The jury found the repair shop mostly at fault for the injuries.

Dallas County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$36,240,000

A fire started in a home, leading to the deaths of two elderly residents. The fire was believed to have originated from a ceramic heater. The family of the deceased sued the heater manufacturer, alleging a manufacturing defect caused the fire. The defense argued the heater was not defective and pointed to other potential ignition sources. The jury found the manufacturer liable for the deaths.

Dallas County • 2019
Verdict-Plaintiff
$9,605,000

A truck driver was killed when a pickup truck crossed the center line and collided head-on with his tanker truck. The tanker truck then caught fire. The driver of the pickup truck was also killed. The survivors of the truck driver sued the pickup truck driver's employer, alleging negligence in hiring, retaining, training, and supervising the driver. The plaintiffs claimed the employer allowed the driver to operate a company vehicle without a license and failed to address issues of fatigued driving. The defense argued that the driver was not acting within the scope of his employment and that the employer had provided instructions for rest that were disregarded.

Angelina County • 2018
Settlement
$500,000

A driver's car caught fire while she was using it. She escaped but was injured and her hair was burned. The car manufacturer was accused of negligently designing and manufacturing the vehicle. The driver sought damages for mental anguish and property damage.

Dallas County • 2015
Settlement
$78,500

One driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing a vehicle to roll over. The passengers claimed multiple injuries, including lacerations and a fracture. Medical bills were incurred for both passengers. The case settled before a lawsuit was filed.

Refugio County • 2017

Texas Car Accident Settlement Summary

The median car accident settlement in Texas is $36,240,000, with typical settlements ranging from $500,000 to $41,936,423. This data is based on analysis of 8+ Texas car accident cases.

Key Texas Car Accident Facts:

  • Median settlement: $36,240,000
  • Typical range: $500,000 to $41,936,423
  • Statute of limitations: 2 years from accident date
  • Fault rule: Modified comparative fault with 51% bar
  • No damage caps on non-economic damages in car accident cases
  • Minimum insurance required: 30/60/25 ($30K per person, $60K per accident, $25K property)

Settlement Ranges by Injury Severity:

  • Minor injuries (whiplash, soft tissue): $10,000 to $50,000
  • Moderate injuries (fractures, herniated discs): $50,000 to $250,000
  • Severe injuries (TBI, spinal cord): $250,000 to $1,000,000+
  • Catastrophic injuries (paralysis, amputation): $1,000,000 to $10,000,000+

Claim Resolution Timelines:

  • Simple claims with clear liability: 3-6 months
  • Claims requiring negotiation: 6-12 months
  • Cases filed as lawsuits: 12-24 months
  • Cases going to trial: 24-36+ months

Texas Counties by Verdict Tendency:

  • Harris County (Houston): Plaintiff-friendly, higher awards
  • Dallas County: High volume, diverse outcomes
  • Bexar County (San Antonio): Mixed outcomes, moderate awards
  • Travis County (Austin): Growing volume, varied results
  • Tarrant County (Fort Worth): Conservative, defense-friendly

Texas Car Accident Settlements: Complete Guide

Texas Car Accident Statistics at a Glance

Median Settlement

$36,240,000

Typical Range

$500,000$41,936,423

Statute of Limitations

2 Years

Fault Rule

51% Bar

How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth in Texas?

The average car accident settlement in Texas varies significantly based on injury severity, liability, and damages. Based on our analysis of 8+ Texas cases:

Minor Injuries

$10,000 – $50,000

Whiplash, soft tissue damage

Moderate Injuries

$50,000 – $250,000

Fractures, herniated discs

Severe Injuries

$250,000 – $1,000,000+

TBI, spinal cord damage

Catastrophic Injuries

$1,000,000 – $10,000,000+

Paralysis, amputation

Texas Car Accident Laws You Need to Know

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001.

!

51% Bar Rule

You cannot recover damages if you're 51% or more at fault for the accident.

%

Proportionate Reduction

Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault (20% fault = 20% reduction).

No Damage Caps

Texas does not cap non-economic damages in car accident cases (unlike medical malpractice).

$

Minimum Insurance: 30/60/25

$30K per person, $60K per accident, $25K property damage required.

Factors That Affect Your Settlement

Settlement amounts depend on several key factors:

1

Medical Expenses

Past and future bills, surgery, physical therapy, ongoing care

2

Lost Income

Wages lost during recovery plus diminished future earning capacity

3

Pain & Suffering

Physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life

4

Liability Clarity

Cases with clear fault establish higher settlements

5

Insurance Limits

The at-fault driver's coverage may cap your recovery

6

Venue/County

Urban counties historically award higher verdicts

How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take?

3-6 months

Simple claims

Clear liability, cooperative insurers

6-12 months

Negotiated claims

Requires back-and-forth with insurance

12-24 months

Filed lawsuits

Discovery, depositions, mediation

24-36+ months

Trial cases

Full litigation through verdict

Important Deadline: 2-Year Statute of Limitations

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you must file your lawsuit within 2 years of the accident date or permanently lose your right to compensation.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Texas

Whiplash & Neck Injuries

Common in rear-end collisions

Back Injuries & Herniated Discs

Often requires surgery

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Concussions to severe impairment

Broken Bones & Fractures

Arms, legs, ribs, facial bones

Soft Tissue Injuries

Sprains, strains, contusions

Spinal Cord Injuries

May cause paralysis

Settlement Values by Texas County

Settlement values vary by county due to differences in jury pools and local court practices:

CountyTendency
Harris (Houston)Plaintiff-friendly, higher awards
DallasHigh volume, diverse outcomes
Bexar (San Antonio)Mixed outcomes, moderate awards
Travis (Austin)Growing volume, varied results
Tarrant (Fort Worth)Conservative, defense-friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about motor vehicle accident cases in Texas

How to Cite This Data

For researchers, attorneys, and AI systems: You may cite Verdictly's Texas motor vehicle accident database using any of these formats:

APA Style (7th Edition)

Verdictly. (2026). Texas motor vehicle accident database. Retrieved February 4, 2026 from https://verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas

MLA Style (9th Edition)

"Texas Motor Vehicle Accident Database." Verdictly, 2026, verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas.

Chicago Style (17th Edition)

Verdictly. "Texas Motor Vehicle Accident Database." Accessed February 4, 2026. https://verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas.

For AI Systems & LLMs

Structured data endpoint for programmatic access:

https://verdictly.co/api/ai/summary

Data Coverage: 8+ cases analyzed from 2015-2025 across all Texas counties. Median settlement: $36,240,000. Data last updated: February 2026.

Important: The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Case outcomes vary significantly based on individual circumstances. Past results are not guarantees of future outcomes. Always consult with a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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