The GDO was not adjusted properly for auto-reversing when an obstruction is encountered. It should have reversed well before ripping up the door, though I also wonder if the door was designed for the GDO to be used without an additional brace to distribute the force.

HU-178658043, you mean that the motor should have been able to detect if there is a high mechanical resistance and therefore stop its motion by itself? I wasn't aware that garage door opener motors have that function but what you are saying makes sense.

How about a solution like this to fix the garage door bracket?

A large horizontal strut which is basically a long piece of metal which goes along the top section of the panel, and then a bracket reinforcement kit which attaches to it.

As you can see from my photos above of my accident, the current bracket looks really flimsy and it doesn't seem secured very strongly to the garage door surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijT4B7iEVtg&ab_channel=ClopayGarageDoor

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Clopay-21-in-Opener-Reinforcement-Bracket-Kit-4125479/100069364

"I wasn't aware that garage door opener motors have that function but what you are saying makes sense."

Every garage door opener of which I am aware has this feature - going back 25-30 years. I believe the feature is mandatory here in the USA.

"Almost all garage door openers made after 1991 come with an inbuilt sensor, which detects even the faintest level of resistance when closing the garage door.

This feature comes in handy in case a pet, or a child gets caught under the door when closing, as the auto reverse function will act upon contact with the resistance. When testing this safety feature for functionality, ensure that you use an object and not any part of your body."

Yes, both the top rail and the vertical brace are needed when a GDO is used.

The GDO motor unit will have adjustment screws for up and down force limits. If you do not have the instruction manual, a Google search can probably find it.