2026 Texas Settlement Average
The average car accident settlement in Texas in 2026 is $95,000. This is 3.1x higher than the national average of $30,416. Texas's large commercial trucking industry, high speed limits, and modified comparative fault rules all affect settlement values.
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Texas Personal Injury Laws (2026)
Texas has several important laws that affect car accident settlements:
Modified Comparative Fault (51% Rule)
Texas uses "proportionate responsibility." You can recover damages only if you're 50% or less at fault. If you're 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
No Caps on Car Accident Damages
Texas has no caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury car accident cases. Medical malpractice has caps, but auto accident cases do not.
2-Year Statute of Limitations
You have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Texas (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003). Missing this deadline bars your claim.
At-Fault Insurance System
Texas is a "fault" state. The at-fault driver's insurance pays for damages. You can file with their insurer, your own insurer, or sue the at-fault driver directly.
Texas Minimum Insurance Is Low
2026 Texas Settlement by City
Settlement values vary across Texas based on local factors, jury tendencies, and cost of living:
| City/Region | 2026 Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Houston (Harris County) | $115,000 | Plaintiff-friendly juries |
| Dallas (Dallas County) | $105,000 | Large verdicts common |
| San Antonio (Bexar County) | $90,000 | Moderate values |
| Austin (Travis County) | $95,000 | Growing tech hub |
| Fort Worth (Tarrant County) | $88,000 | Conservative juries |
| El Paso | $75,000 | Lower COL |
| Rural Texas | $65,000 | Conservative verdicts |
Harris County = Highest Values in Texas
2026 Texas Settlement by Injury Type
Here's what to expect for different injury types in Texas in 2026:
| Injury Type | TX 2026 Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Spinal Cord Injury | $1,850,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | $1,350,000 | $850,000 |
| Internal Injuries | $385,000 | $250,000 |
| Broken Bones | $195,000 | $125,000 |
| Herniated Disc | $115,000 | $75,000 |
| Whiplash | $29,000 | $18,950 |
| Soft Tissue | $24,000 | $15,000 |
Texas Truck Accident Premium
Factors Unique to Texas Cases
Several factors make Texas car accident claims unique:
Texas has more truck accidents than any state. Truck claims settle 1.8x higher than car accidents.
Texas has some of the highest speed limits (85 mph), leading to more severe accidents.
No state income tax means lost wage calculations aren't reduced by state tax deductions.
If you're found 51%+ at fault, you recover nothing. This makes fault disputes critical.
Oil Field Accidents in Texas
Calculate Your Texas Settlement
To estimate your Texas settlement value, you need a calculator that accounts for Texas's specific laws and regional settlement patterns.
Texas Multiplier Method (2026)
TX Settlement = (Medical Bills + Lost Wages) × TX Multiplier (1.5 - 5.0x)
Texas multipliers vary by county. Harris County (Houston) typically uses higher multipliers than rural counties due to different jury tendencies.
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Our AI calculator uses Texas-specific 2026 data, including your city, injury type, and case details. Get your estimated range in minutes — completely free.
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