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Head/Brain Injury Cases in Dallas–Fort Worth

Head/Brain 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: November 2025

High-Level Statistics

$1,893,000
Median award/settlement
$70,000 - $13,478,106
Typical range (25th-75th percentile)
Rear-end
Most common accident type
62+
Cases analyzed
Head/Brain Injury
Other
$15,600,000
Settlement

A 19-year-old employee of a car dealership was speeding and struck a 69-year-old victim. The victim suffered injuries including a broken arm, leg laceration, and allegedly a traumatic brain injury. The jury found the employee 80 percent at fault and the victim 20 percent at fault. The case resulted in a settlement.

Harris County • 2024
$671,000
Verdict-Plaintiff

One driver was exiting a private driveway and turned left into the path of another vehicle. The driver who exited the driveway did not check for approaching traffic. The collision caused the injured driver to lose consciousness. The injured driver was diagnosed with a concussion and later a traumatic brain injury, experiencing headaches and cognitive issues.

Travis County • 2020
$13,478,106
Settlement

A 10-week-old infant was in a car seat when the vehicle he was in was struck by another car. The infant sustained a skull fracture and a severe brain injury. The lawsuit alleged that the child seat's aftermarket insert contributed to the severity of the head injury. The case involved claims against the driver of the other vehicle and the manufacturer of the child seat insert.

Dallas County • 2020
$1,893,000
Verdict-Plaintiff

A 5-year-old boy was a passenger on a school bus when the emergency exit opened and he fell out. He sustained a skull fracture and abrasions. The plaintiffs alleged the driver and bus company were negligent in failing to ensure the door functioned properly and for allowing a young child to sit near an emergency exit. The defense argued the child or another child may have opened the latch and that the child sustained no permanent injury.

Harris County • 2019
$33,500,000
Verdict-Plaintiff

A 9-year-old boy was injured when a modified golf cart he was driving tipped over. The boy's parents sued the golf cart manufacturer and the homeowners for alleged design defects, warning deficiencies, and negligent supervision. The jury found the manufacturer liable for design and warning defects but also found the homeowner partially responsible. The case resulted in a jury award.

Dallas County • 2019
$4,800,000
Settlement

Two individuals were injured when a large overhead sign being installed tipped over and fell onto their vehicles. One vehicle was struck first, followed by the second vehicle. The injured parties claimed negligence against the company installing the sign and the company that contracted for the work. They alleged the sign installer was negligent in how the job was performed.

Jefferson County • 2018
$1,000,000
Settlement

One driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck a stopped school bus. The collision resulted in multiple fatalities and one passenger sustained a traumatic brain injury. The case involved claims of negligence against the employer and other entities.

Dallas County • 2017
$45,348
Settlement

One driver was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident and became permanently disabled due to a traumatic brain injury. The injured driver had a disability contract with an insurance company that provided for subrogation rights upon settlement with the party responsible for the accident. After settling with the responsible party, the injured driver negotiated a settlement with the insurance company regarding their subrogation rights. However, the insurance company later demanded a second subrogation payment, which the injured driver refused. The insurance company then stopped paying monthly disability benefits, causing the injured driver severe mental and emotional distress and financial hardship.

Dallas County • 2016
$93,169
Verdict-Plaintiff

One driver picked up a passenger who then exited the vehicle. The passenger's head hit the pavement, causing a skull fracture. The passenger claimed a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive impairment, headaches, and memory loss, as well as neck and back sprains. The defense argued the passenger was intoxicated and the incident was his fault. The jury found negligence on the part of the driver and comparative responsibility on the part of the passenger.

Tarrant County • 2015

What is Head/Brain Injury?

Head and brain injuries from motor vehicle accidents range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries affecting cognitive function, memory, and personality. These injuries occur when the head strikes objects during collision or when the brain moves violently within the skull due to rapid acceleration/deceleration forces. Symptoms include headaches, confusion, memory problems, mood changes, sensitivity to light and sound, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or coma.

Common causes in motor vehicle accidents

Motor vehicle accidents cause head injuries through direct impact (striking steering wheel, dashboard, windows, or other vehicle components), rapid deceleration causing the brain to slam against the skull interior, rotational forces twisting the brain within the skull, and penetrating trauma from shattered glass or metal. Unrestrained occupants, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians struck by vehicles face the highest risk. Even with airbag deployment and seatbelts, high-speed collisions generate forces sufficient to cause significant brain trauma.

Treatment and recovery

Mild concussions require cognitive rest (limiting screen time, reading, and mental exertion), gradual return to normal activities, and monitoring for worsening symptoms. Moderate to severe brain injuries may require emergency neurosurgery to relieve intracranial pressure, remove blood clots (hematomas), or repair skull fractures. Rehabilitation typically includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychological counseling. Some patients recover fully within months, while others require years of treatment or face permanent cognitive deficits requiring lifetime support and supervision.

Legal considerations in Dallas-Fort Worth

Head and brain injury cases in Dallas and Tarrant counties require extensive medical documentation including emergency room records, CT scans, MRIs, neuropsychological testing, and expert testimony from neurologists, neurosurgeons, or neuropsychologists. Insurance companies often dispute mild TBI claims, arguing symptoms are subjective or pre-existing. Strong cases include documented loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia at accident scene, consistent symptom reporting across medical providers, objective test results showing cognitive impairments, employment records showing decline in work performance, and testimony from family members describing personality or functional changes. Cases involving permanent disabilities require life care plans and vocational expert testimony to establish future medical needs and lost earning capacity.

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.

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