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Texas Catastrophic Injury Settlements:
Real Case Outcomes & Data

Catastrophic Injury 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

$11,400,000

Median award/settlement

$3,260,000$15,400,000

Typical range (25th-75th percentile)

Truck/Commercial

Most common accident type

15+

Cases analyzed

Catastrophic Injury
Verdict-Plaintiff
$1,724,038,500

A defective truck roof crushed down on the occupants during a motor vehicle accident. The case involved an issue with the tire load capacity. Experts in various fields testified, including pathology, biomechanics, and accident reconstruction.

Gwinnett County • 2022
Settlement
$124,000,000

A child sustained a severe brain injury when a driver crashed into the back of his father's car. The impact caused the driver's seat to collapse, leading to the child's head hitting his father's head. The child suffered a fractured skull, partial paralysis, and blindness, requiring lifelong assisted living and medical care.

Bexar County • 2016
Verdict-Plaintiff
$43,600,000

An elderly woman was struck by a truck in a store parking lot. She sustained multiple fractures and injuries, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. The woman sued the store and the driver, alleging negligence. A jury found the store 75% at fault for negligence and gross negligence, awarding the woman $43.6 million.

Nueces County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$15,400,000

A driver crashed a van into a highway divider after drinking. Several passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Some passengers suffered fatal injuries, while others had injuries ranging from bruised lungs to fractures. Lawsuits alleged the driver and his employer were responsible for the crash.

Dallas County • 2018
Settlement
$15,025,000

A broad-side collision occurred, causing significant injuries to the driver. The injured driver sustained damage to internal organs, including the lung, liver, and bladder, as well as injuries to the vertebrae and pelvis. The accident also resulted in a traumatic brain injury, leading to cognitive impairment, and other physical trauma such as lacerations and blunt force trauma.

Dallas County • 2018
Settlement
$11,700,000

A woman and her daughter were injured when a truck tire tread failed, causing the vehicle they were passengers in to swerve and overturn. The woman suffered the amputation of her arm, and the daughter lost her leg. The tire had been retreaded by a tire company. Lawsuits were filed against the truck owner and tire companies.

Philadelphia County • 2018
Verdict-Plaintiff
$11,400,000

A tractor-trailer crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the death of the pickup truck driver. The plaintiffs alleged the truck driver was impaired and the employer was liable. The jury found the defendant driver 70% liable and the employer 30% liable.

Dallas County • 2024
Verdict-Plaintiff
$11,275,666

One driver was traveling on a highway when a tractor-trailer hydroplaned, crossed the median, and struck the driver's vehicle head-on. The collision caused extensive injuries. The jury found the defendant vehicle's driver negligent and awarded damages for medical care, loss of household services, and loss of consortium.

Refugio County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$10,500,000

A commercial truck driver was instructed to prepare his tanker for a chemical delivery. He was told to climb to the top of the tanker without fall protection. While climbing, he slipped and fell more than 10 feet to the pavement, suffering severe leg injuries that led to his death eight months later. His family sued the chemical plant owner, alleging premises liability and an unreasonably dangerous condition due to a lack of fall protection and safety policies. The jury awarded $10.5 million.

Harris County • 2022
Verdict-Plaintiff
$6,000,000

Motorists carpooling to work were injured when an 18-wheeler struck seven cars on a Texas highway, pushing their pickup into another truck. The plaintiffs required multiple surgeries and hospital stays. The jury found the truck driver's employer liable for negligence and awarded damages for injuries, pain, and suffering.

Dallas County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$3,260,000

A train struck a car crossing railroad tracks, resulting in the death of one occupant and severe injuries to another. The plaintiffs alleged the crossing was extra-hazardous due to poor visibility and lack of warning devices. The defendants argued the driver was at fault for running a stop sign and using a cell phone. The jury found both the railway company and the driver 50 percent responsible for the accident.

Brazoria County • 2015

Texas Car Accident Settlement Summary

The median car accident settlement in Texas is $11,400,000, with typical settlements ranging from $3,260,000 to $15,400,000. This data is based on analysis of 15+ Texas car accident cases.

Key Texas Car Accident Facts:

  • Median settlement: $11,400,000
  • Typical range: $3,260,000 to $15,400,000
  • 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

$11,400,000

Typical Range

$3,260,000$15,400,000

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 15+ 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: 15+ cases analyzed from 2015-2025 across all Texas counties. Median settlement: $11,400,000. 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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