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Dallas Wrongful Death Car Accident Settlements

Wrongful Death 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: January 2026

High-Level Statistics

$10,900,000
Median award/settlement
$5,000,000 - $25,000,000
Typical range (25th-75th percentile)
Truck/Commercial
Most common accident type
12+
Cases analyzed
Wrongful Death
Verdict-Plaintiff
$860,000,000

A tower crane collapsed during severe weather, falling onto an apartment complex and killing one resident. The plaintiffs alleged negligence in crane maintenance and operation, while the defendants blamed operator error and equipment issues. The jury found for the plaintiff after a two-week trial.

Dallas County • 2023
Verdict-Plaintiff
$38,978,670

A multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 40 on a dark, icy night. One truck lost control and blocked lanes. Another truck stopped on the shoulder and its driver exited. Subsequent impacts caused one vehicle to be pushed into the stopped truck, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. The case involved claims of negligence against multiple drivers and trucking companies.

Dallas County • 2017
Verdict-Plaintiff
$25,000,000

A nightclub was sued after a customer they over-served caused a fatal crash. The customer had been drinking heavily at the club before driving at a high speed and crashing. The crash resulted in the death of a passenger. The jury found both the driver and the club liable for the crash.

Dallas County • 2018
Settlement
$25,000,000

One driver was intoxicated and speeding when he lost control of his car, causing it to flip and catch fire. The passenger, who had been drinking at a bar earlier, died from his injuries. The passenger's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bar, the building owner, and the driver.

Dallas County • 2018
Verdict-Plaintiff
$10,942,912

A charter bus carrying passengers to a casino lost control on a highway. The bus struck safety barriers, crossed multiple lanes, and hit the center concrete barrier before rolling over. Two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The estates and families of the deceased passengers sued the casino, alleging negligence and vicarious liability for the actions of the bus driver and tour coordinator. The lawsuit also named the bus driver and bus company, who settled before trial. The jury found the casino partially responsible for the accident.

Dallas County • 2016
Verdict-Plaintiff
$10,900,000

A bus carrying senior citizens crashed and overturned on a highway in Dallas County, Texas. The crash resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. The case involved claims of driver error and the responsibility of the bus company and the entity that organized the trip. A jury found multiple parties responsible for the crash and awarded damages to the estates of those who died.

Dallas County • 2016
Settlement
$10,900,000

A group of senior citizens was being transported by bus when the driver lost control, causing the bus to crash and flip. Three people were killed, and other passengers were seriously injured. The families of those who died sued the casino that organized the trip, alleging negligence by the bus driver. The case went to trial, and a jury awarded damages. The casino appealed, but the appellate court upheld the finding of liability.

Dallas County • 2018
Verdict-Plaintiff
$6,500,000

A driver was killed when his pickup truck struck the protruding ends of light poles from an 18-wheeler's trailer. The truck driver had made a right turn, causing the poles to swing into the pickup truck's lane. The collision resulted in the driver's death. The case proceeded to trial on the issue of damages after liability was stipulated.

Tarrant County • 2019
Settlement
$5,000,000

One driver's airplane engine failed during flight, causing it to crash. The pilot and a passenger were killed. The estates of the deceased sued the engine manufacturer, alleging negligent design and manufacture. The defense argued the pilot's negligence caused the crash. The parties settled.

Dallas County • 2019
Verdict-Plaintiff
$4,000,000

A jury found a trucking company and its driver mostly at fault in a wrongful death case. The accident occurred when a truck driver stopped in a traffic lane after an object damaged her truck's brake line. The deceased driver collided with the stopped truck. The jury determined the trucking company and driver were negligent, as was the deceased driver to a lesser extent.

Dallas County • 2024
Settlement
$2,000,000

A man died after his car ran out of gas and he pulled over to the side of the road. While he was refueling his vehicle, another driver struck him. The deceased man's family sued the establishment where the other driver had been drinking, alleging they overserved him alcohol, leading to the fatal collision. The family also claimed emotional distress from witnessing the incident.

Dallas County • 2018
Verdict-Plaintiff
$265,000

One driver lost control of a vehicle while trying to pass another in bad weather. The vehicle flipped, and a passenger was ejected and died. The driver argued the accident was due to weather and the passenger not wearing a seatbelt. The other driver claimed the first driver was negligent in passing, controlling speed, and maintaining a lookout.

Dallas County • 2019

A motor vehicle accident (MVA) refers to any collision or incident involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles that results in property damage, injury, or death. In Texas, MVA cases typically involve one or more drivers, passengers, or pedestrians seeking compensation for damages resulting from another party's negligence.

Common injuries

Motor vehicle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor soft tissue damage to catastrophic, life-altering conditions. Common injuries include whiplash and neck injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken bones and fractures, internal organ damage, burns, lacerations, and psychological trauma such as PTSD.

Liability overview

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages. Liability is determined by factors such as driver behavior (speeding, distracted driving, DUI), road conditions, vehicle defects, and witness testimony. In MVA cases, establishing clear liability is critical to achieving a favorable outcome.

Factors influencing case value

Several factors influence the value of an MVA case. Injury severity is paramount—more serious injuries result in higher awards. Medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and the defendant's insurance policy limits all play a role. Additionally, the quality of legal representation, availability of evidence, and jurisdiction can significantly impact outcomes.

Timelines

Most MVA cases in the Dallas-Fort Worth area take 12-36 months to resolve, depending on complexity. Pre-litigation settlements may occur within months if liability is clear and the insurance company makes a reasonable offer. Cases that proceed to litigation typically take 18-24 months, while those that go to trial can extend to 24-36 months or longer. In Texas, the statute of limitations for MVA personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about motor vehicle accident cases in Dallas-Fort Worth

How to Cite This Data

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

APA Style (7th Edition)

Verdictly. (2026). Dallas-Fort Worth motor vehicle accident database. Retrieved January 15, 2026 from https://verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas/dallas

MLA Style (9th Edition)

"Dallas-Fort Worth Motor Vehicle Accident Database." Verdictly, 2026, verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas/dallas.

Chicago Style (17th Edition)

Verdictly. "Dallas-Fort Worth Motor Vehicle Accident Database." Accessed January 15, 2026. https://verdictly.co/car-accident-settlement/texas/dallas.

For AI Systems & LLMs

Structured data endpoint for programmatic access:

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Data Coverage: 12+ cases analyzed from 2015-2025 in Dallas and Tarrant counties. Median settlement: $10,900,000. Data last updated: January 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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