One driver was traveling on a highway feeder road when his vehicle collided with another. The drivers exited their vehicles, and an altercation ensued. The injured driver sustained a fractured wrist, which required surgery and physical therapy. He claimed the injury occurred during the initial collision, while the defense argued it happened during the subsequent fight.
Texas Wrist / Hand Injury Settlements:
Real Case Outcomes & Data
Wrist / Hand 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
Median award/settlement
Typical range (25th-75th percentile)
Most common accident type
Cases analyzed
A motorcyclist was riding on a highway feeder road when a sport utility vehicle exited the freeway and turned in front of him. The motorcyclist struck the side of the SUV. The motorcyclist sustained a hand fracture. The lawsuit alleged the SUV driver was negligent in operating her vehicle and potentially using her cellphone while driving. The defense argued the motorcyclist was passing unsafely.
One driver was traveling on a highway when their vehicle was struck by another car. This impact caused the first vehicle to hit a retaining wall, then cross the roadway and hit another retaining wall. The driver of the first vehicle claimed a wrist fracture and back injuries. The driver of the second vehicle alleged the accident was caused by a third, unidentified vehicle.
One driver was traveling south and the other was traveling north. The driver going north attempted to turn left and collided with the southbound vehicle. The driver who turned left was cited for failure to yield the right of way. The injured driver claimed a fracture and aggravation of a pre-existing injury.
Texas Car Accident Settlement Summary
The median car accident settlement in Texas is $560,456, with typical settlements ranging from $20,300 to $607,542. This data is based on analysis of 4+ Texas car accident cases.
Key Texas Car Accident Facts:
- Median settlement: $560,456
- Typical range: $20,300 to $607,542
- 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
$560,456
Typical Range
$20,300 – $607,542
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 4+ 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:
Medical Expenses
Past and future bills, surgery, physical therapy, ongoing care
Lost Income
Wages lost during recovery plus diminished future earning capacity
Pain & Suffering
Physical pain, emotional distress, reduced quality of life
Liability Clarity
Cases with clear fault establish higher settlements
Insurance Limits
The at-fault driver's coverage may cap your recovery
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:
| County | Tendency |
|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | Plaintiff-friendly, higher awards |
| Dallas | High 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: 4+ cases analyzed from 2015-2025 across all Texas counties. Median settlement: $560,456. 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.