Car accident lawsuits are often small settlements, often because most involve minor or no injuries at all. But when there are serious injuries or fatalities involved, the payouts can be enormous. Below are the largest car accident lawsuit settlements in California history/
1. Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co. (1978)
In a case originating from a 1972 rear-end crash that caused a Pinto to catch fire, seriously injuring 13-year-old Richard Grimshaw and killing Lily Gray,
a California jury awarded a record $127.8 million. This included $125 million in punitive damages and about $2.84 million in compensatory damages,
plus $665,000 for Gray’s family. The judge later reduced the punitive part to $3.5 million, which was still larger than any other punitive damage award
in the state at the time.
2. $69 Million Truck Crash Settlement, Sacramento
A Sacramento resident suffered catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries in a collision with a commercial truck whose brakes were not properly maintained.
The case settled for $69 million, covering lifelong care, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
3. $50 Million Fatal Multi-Victim Commercial Vehicle Crash
In a high-speed crash involving a commercial vehicle that killed multiple family members, the surviving relatives filed wrongful death suits.
The eventual settlement was $50 million, reflecting the severe emotional and financial devastation.
4. $47.5 Million Pre-Trial Settlement, San Mateo
Although not a car accident, this was the largest pretrial personal injury settlement in California history. In 2018, a San Mateo family settled with PG&E
and the County for $47.5 million after a rotting tree collapsed on a 12-year-old boy during a 2012 camping trip.
5. Other High-Value Settlements
- $45 million – Drunk-driving crash that left the victim paralyzed
- $42 million – Rear-end freeway collision causing traumatic brain injury and permanent disability for a teacher
- $40 million – Head-on crash caused by a distracted driver, resulting in neurological damage
Summary Table
| Rank | Case Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grimshaw v. Ford (Pinto fire, punitive damages) | $127.8 million |
| 2 | Sacramento truck crash, brain and spine injury | $69 million |
| 3 | Multi-fatality commercial vehicle crash | $50 million |
| 4 | San Mateo tree collapse, largest pretrial settlement | $47.5 million |
| 5 | Drunk-driving paralysis | $45 million |
| – | Brain injury from rear-end collision | $42 million |
| – | Distracted driver head-on crash | $40 million |