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 involved in a rollover collision. The passenger in the third row of the vehicle suffered a broken neck, resulting in quadriplegia. The passenger sued the vehicle manufacturer, alleging the restraint system was defectively designed. The jury found the seat belt was defective and awarded damages.
One driver was operating a truck when it left the road and rolled over. The driver was convicted of intoxication assault. The passenger sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis. The passenger sued the driver for negligence, the truck owner for negligent entrustment, and the vehicle manufacturer for products liability. The passenger's counsel argued the driver's intoxication and a potential defect in the seat belt caused the injuries. The defense argued comparative liability, suggesting the passenger was aware of the driver's intoxication and may have been a distraction. The truck owner settled before trial.
A woman sued after she was paralyzed in a rollover crash. The driver was intoxicated and lost control of the vehicle. The woman was ejected and sustained paralysis. The defense argued the woman was at fault and that her family could provide care. A jury found for the woman and awarded damages.
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.