Verdictly
Settlement
Wilson County • 2016

Bexar County Tractor-Trailer Collision Settles for $4.8 Million

One driver was slowing to turn left when a tractor-trailer attempted to pass and struck the left front of her vehicle. The collision caused the injured driver's vehicle to go off the road. The injured driver sustained multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a fractured shoulder.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Head/Brain Injury
Truck/Commercial
Fracture

About Head/Brain Injury Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, with effects ranging from temporary symptoms to permanent cognitive impairment.

Case Outcome

Outcome
Settlement
Amount
$4,800,000
County
Wilson County, TX
Resolved
2016

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Head/Brain Injury
Accident Type
Truck/Commercial
Case Type
Fracture, Glenoid Fossa, Open Reduction

Settlement Context

This settlement of $4,800,000 is near the median of $1,000,000 for head/brain injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $45,348 to $11,007,000, based on 43 cases in our database.

Case Overview

On August 15, 2015, a collision occurred on State Highway 97 in Wilson County, Texas. The plaintiff was driving south and slowed to make a left turn onto County Road 406. A tractor-trailer, driven by a defendant employee operating within the scope of employment for Native Oilfield Services LLC, attempted to pass the plaintiff's vehicle and struck its left front. The plaintiff's vehicle then hit a row of mailboxes and came to rest beside the highway. Emergency personnel extricated the plaintiff, who sustained multiple injuries.

The plaintiff subsequently sued the truck driver and Native Oilfield Services LLC, alleging negligence. Claims included the driver's failure to maintain a proper lookout, unsafe passing, excessive speed, failure to control speed, and following too closely. The plaintiff was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, multiple lacerations, respiratory failure, cognitive deficits, and a fractured left shoulder, among other injuries. The plaintiff underwent several surgeries and claimed severe, permanent, and life-changing injuries, including job loss and an inability to work. Economic damages were sought for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, lost benefits, and lost household services, totaling between approximately $2 million and $5 million, in addition to claims for pain and physical impairment.

The defense argued the plaintiff was partially at fault for initiating a turn without observing the approaching truck. The defense also disputed the severity and permanency of the plaintiff’s traumatic brain injury, contending it was mild and would not require extensive future care. Both sides presented expert testimony on accident reconstruction, medical conditions, and economic damages.

The parties reached a settlement for $4.8 million in mediation. The defendants had $1 million in primary insurance coverage and $4 million in excess coverage. The settlement was conditioned on court approval, which necessitated dismissing the case in Wilson County and re-filing it in Bexar County to obtain a quicker settlement hearing. The Bexar County court subsequently approved the settlement. Additionally, the plaintiff received personal injury protection and underinsured motorist benefits from her own carrier, totaling $60,000.

Understanding This Case

  • Most mild TBIs resolve within weeks to months. Moderate to severe TBI often results in permanent impairment affecting cognition, behavior, and physical function.
  • This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
  • This case was resolved in Wilson County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
  • Resolved in 2016, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.

VerdictlyTM Score

65
/100
Reasonably Fair

This outcome is within expected ranges

This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.

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