Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring extensive medical care, home modifications, and lifetime assistance. These catastrophic injuries often result in multi-million dollar settlements to cover ongoing medical expenses and loss of quality of life.
Last updated: November 2025
One driver was slowing for traffic when the other driver, who was in the course and scope of his employment, struck the first driver's vehicle from behind. The first driver sustained serious injuries including a spinal fracture and required emergency surgery. The jury found the defendant driver and his employer negligent. The plaintiff was awarded damages for medical bills, physical impairment, disfigurement, pain, and lost earning capacity.
One driver was slowing down in traffic when their car was hit from behind by a pickup truck. The driver who was hit suffered serious injuries to their aorta, back, hip, lungs, neck, and rib cage. The lawsuit alleged the truck driver was speeding and possibly distracted, and the employer was negligent in supervision and vehicle entrustment. The jury found the defendants liable for the accident and awarded damages.
One driver was traveling on a road when their car was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was struck claimed injuries to their back, leg, neck, and shoulders. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent due to inattention and failure to control speed. Evidence suggested the driver at fault may have been speeding and using a phone. The defense did not strongly dispute fault for the accident.
One driver was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing her car to go off the road and hit a tree. The passenger in the first vehicle suffered severe injuries, including paralysis and quadriplegia, and later died. The driver who caused the collision was found to be intoxicated.
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed serious injuries to their neck and back, including paralysis in one arm, requiring surgery. The other driver argued that a third vehicle caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed. The jury found the second driver fully at fault.
One driver rear-ended another vehicle. The case involved a retrial. No medical records were submitted. Liability was agreed upon. The jury awarded $1,500 for past physical pain.
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.
Spinal cord injuries involve damage to the nerve bundle running through the spinal column, potentially causing partial or complete loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site. These catastrophic injuries can result in paraplegia (paralysis of lower body and legs) or quadriplegia/tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs). Even incomplete spinal cord injuries cause significant impairments affecting mobility, bowel and bladder control, sexual function, and ability to regulate body temperature. The level and completeness of injury determines long-term prognosis and functional capacity.
High-speed collisions, vehicle rollovers, T-bone crashes, and accidents involving unrestrained occupants cause most motor vehicle-related spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord can be damaged by bone fragments from vertebral fractures, compression from dislocated vertebrae, torn or stretched ligaments allowing excessive spinal movement, or direct penetration from debris. Rear-end collisions can cause hyperextension injuries to the cervical spine, while frontal impacts often damage thoracic or lumbar regions. Ejection from vehicles carries extremely high spinal cord injury risk due to multiple impact points and lack of protection.
Immediate treatment focuses on spinal stabilization, high-dose corticosteroids to reduce swelling (if administered within 8 hours), and emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord from bone fragments, blood clots, or herniated discs. Long-term care includes months of inpatient rehabilitation teaching adaptation to paralysis, physical therapy maintaining muscle strength and preventing contractures, occupational therapy developing compensation strategies for daily activities, and psychological counseling. Many patients require wheelchairs, home modifications (ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms), assistive devices, and ongoing medical care for complications like pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, respiratory issues, and chronic pain. Incomplete injuries may see gradual improvement over 12-18 months, but complete injuries rarely recover significant function below the injury level.
Spinal cord injury cases in Dallas and Tarrant counties typically result in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts due to astronomical lifetime costs. Key evidence includes emergency imaging (CT, MRI) showing spinal cord damage and vertebral injury, neurological examination documenting extent of sensory and motor loss, life care plans prepared by rehabilitation experts projecting lifetime medical needs ($3-5 million for paraplegics, $5-10+ million for quadriplegics), economist testimony calculating lost earning capacity, and vocational expert testimony establishing unemployability. Cases require testimony from spinal cord injury specialists, physiatrists, and rehabilitation experts. Documentation must address future needs including attendant care, medical equipment and supplies, home and vehicle modifications, ongoing medical complications, and psychological impacts. Texas caps non-economic damages at $250,000 per defendant, making economic damages (medical expenses and lost wages) the primary component of catastrophic injury settlements.
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.