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.
Dallas–Fort Worth Motor Vehicle Accidents: Case Outcomes & Typical Values
Real motor vehicle accident case outcomes from Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties. This database includes settlements and verdicts across all injury types, accident scenarios, and case outcomes. Use filters to narrow results by injury type, accident type, county, settlement amount, or year to find cases similar to yours.
Last updated: November 2025
High-Level Statistics
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.
A woman was driving north on a highway when she encountered a convoy of three southbound vehicles, including a tractor-trailer with a wide load and two pilot cars. The lead pilot car, driven by the wife of the tractor-trailer driver, entered the northbound lane and waved a flag, attempting to alert the oncoming driver. The oncoming driver swerved onto the shoulder and then back into the lane, colliding with the tractor-trailer's load. The impact caused a fatal head injury to the woman. The lawsuit alleged negligence in the operation of the vehicles and handling of the transport job. Most defendants settled before trial, and the case proceeded against one driver.
A wide-load convoy transporting a large submarine propeller was traveling on a two-lane highway. The top of a woman's car was ripped off by the oversized propeller. The woman was killed in the incident. Her children sued the companies involved in the convoy, alleging negligence in carrying the cargo. A jury found the defendants responsible for her death.
A company that made highway guard rail end terminals was accused of violating the False Claims Act. The accuser claimed the company secretly modified the design, which led to vehicles impaling the guard rails and causing severe injuries. The company denied these allegations. A jury found in favor of the accuser and awarded damages, which were then trebled and increased by penalties, totaling over $663 million. However, an appeals court later overturned this judgment, stating the government had not declared the design unsafe.
A family was rear-ended by another vehicle. The impact caused the front seats of their car to collapse into the back seat, injuring their two young children. The parents sued the car manufacturer, alleging the front seats were defectively designed and failed to protect the children in a rear-end collision.
A family was stopped in traffic when their car was hit from behind. The children in the car sustained traumatic brain injuries. The family sued the driver of the other vehicle and the car manufacturer, alleging the car's seats were defectively designed, leading to the children's injuries. The jury found the car manufacturer negligent and responsible for a design defect. The jury awarded the family $242,100,000.
A family was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was rear-ended. They sued the manufacturer of their car, alleging it was defectively designed and marketed. The plaintiffs claimed the car's front seats were designed to yield rearward in collisions, causing front-seat occupants to move into the rear, injuring the children in the back. The manufacturer argued the other driver was solely responsible and that the injuries resulted from the severity of the impact.
A driver pulled out in front of another vehicle, causing a collision. The person in the first vehicle suffered severe injuries, including quadriplegia. The case involved claims of negligence against the driver and the trucking company.
A driver was operating a vehicle on the highway when a tractor-trailer pulled out in front of them, causing a collision. The driver suffered traumatic injuries, including quadriplegia. The defense disputed liability, causation, and damages.
A driver stopped for a school bus and was rear-ended by another vehicle. The impact caused the front seat of the struck vehicle to collapse, leading to severe injuries for a child in the back seat. The child sustained a skull fracture and permanent brain damage. The lawsuit alleged negligence by the driver who caused the collision and product liability claims against the vehicle manufacturers for a defective seat design.
One driver stopped for a school bus and was rear-ended by another vehicle. The impact caused a severe injury to a child in the back seat. The child's family sued the driver who caused the accident and the vehicle manufacturer, alleging the car's seat was defectively designed and contributed to the severity of the child's injuries. The jury found the vehicle manufacturer partially responsible for the injuries.
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
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.