Victims of 18-wheeler and significant truck accidents in Belton, Texas, face some of the most severe and complex personal injury claims in the state. Commercial trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds travel daily on I-35, Loop 121, and other major routes through Bell County. When these massive vehicles collide with passenger cars, the results are often catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, burns, and wrongful death. Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP, represents injured victims and surviving family members throughout Central Texas from the firm's office in Woodway, just minutes north of Belton. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Texas leads the nation in fatal commercial truck crashes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Texas recorded 772 fatal large-truck accidents in 2023, the highest of any state. Preliminary estimates for 2024 show over 39,000 commercial vehicle crashes, resulting in more than 600 deaths and over 1,600 serious injuries. These figures represent roughly 25.7 percent of the national total of 151,399 truck crashes, highlighting the ongoing risks for drivers on Texas roads. Bell County is among the areas most impacted by the high volume of freight traffic between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin/San Antonio. Bell County serves as a major truck route for oil, gas, consumer, and industrial goods, increasing the likelihood of truck accidents on FM 436/I-35 and surrounding highways. Local data from the Texas Department of Transportation undoubtedly supports the idea that counties such as Bell have a higher crash rate due to freight traffic volume, particularly at intersections and in construction zones. An 18-wheeler crash is not an auto accident that can be resolved through a simple insurance exchange. From various parties to federal statutes, relying on significant insurance policies will always lead to truck accident cases becoming the subject of an extensive risk assessment and litigation process. The attorneys at Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP, represent victims of truck accidents and the resulting litigation with a focus on the challenges of statewide truck accident litigation with the motivation of obtaining the highest possible resolution for you in the Belton area. 

Why Truck Accidents Differ from Regular Car Crashes 

Commercial trucks are governed by both Texas law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These rules cover driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, load securement, drug and alcohol testing, and commercial driver licensing requirements. The FMCSA made technical corrections to the FMCSRs in 2025, correcting unintentional errors, updating outdated references, and clarifying the safety provision. There was also a final rule extending the compliance date for the financial requirements for brokers and freight forwarders to January 16, 2026, to allow carriers more time to comply. Violations of any regulation can serve as direct evidence of negligence or negligence per se in a Texas courtroom. 

Trucking companies and their drivers owe the public a heightened duty of care due to the size and weight of their vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer needs up to 40 percent more stopping distance than a passenger car. It can produce devastating override or underride crashes. Jackknife events, collisions from wide turns, and dropped loads on I-35 cause multi-vehicle pileups that even regular car accident attorneys may not have dealt with routinely. The FMCSA just issued updates and eliminated outdated motor carrier routing regulations, effective 05-30-2025, to improve operational efficiency. However, they also require operators to remain in compliance with those. Insurance coverage is another significant difference. Commercial trucks carry policies ranging from $750,000 to $5 million or more, compared to the Texas minimum of $30,000 for passenger vehicles. These significant policies attract aggressive defense teams hired by the trucking company within hours of a crash. Victims who try to handle claims alone often accept quick settlements worth only a fraction of the actual value of their case. The average cost of a commercial truck accident with an injury is $148,279, while fatal crashes average $7.2 million. 

Common Causes of Belton Area 18-Wheeler Accidents 

Federal and state crash data identify recurring factors in large truck collisions around Belton and Central Texas: 

• Driver fatigue from exceeding hours-of-service limits 
• Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions on I-35 
• Distracted driving, including cell phone use 
• Improper lane changes and wide turns at Belton intersections 
• Inadequate truck maintenance, especially brakes and tires 
• Improperly secured cargo that shifts or falls onto the highway 
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Inexperienced or improperly trained drivers 
• Aggressive driving and tailgating of passenger vehicles 
• Poor weather response on wet or icy Central Texas roads 

Brake and tire problems alone account for 35 percent of semi-truck accidents nationwide, with 20 percent linked to impaired driving. Distracted driving contributes to about 28 percent of crashes, often involving phone use or eating. Each cause opens specific investigative avenues under federal and state regulations. Our experienced truck accident attorneys know how to obtain the required records before companies destroy or alter them. Once approved, the FMCSA's proposed speed limiter regulation in 2025, anticipated to prohibit speeds of 65 to 70 mph for cars with electronic engine management units, may solve speeding problems. 

Immediate Steps After a Belton Truck Accident 

Safety comes first. Move to a safe location if possible, call 911, and request medical help even for injuries that seem minor. Adrenaline can mask severe conditions such as internal bleeding or spinal fractures. 

Document the scene thoroughly. Take photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries. Obtain contact information from all witnesses, including other motorists who may have seen the truck driver’s actions leading up to the crash. 

Request that law enforcement call a Texas Department of Public Safety Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer to the scene when possible. These specialized troopers receive advanced training in truck crash investigation and often uncover regulatory violations that regular patrol officers miss. 

Never give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster without speaking to an attorney first. Representatives from trucking companies and insurance investigators appear on the scene immediately and try to get victims locked into unwelcome versions of what happened. In Bell County, where traffic reports show constant closures of I-14 because of truck accidents, quick action preserves critical evidence. 

Evidence That Wins Truck Accident Cases 

Thorough evidence collection separates successful claims from denied ones. Key items include: 

• Driver logbooks (electronic and paper) 
• Electronic Control Module (black box) data from the truck 
• Hours-of-service records for the previous two weeks 
• Truck and trailer maintenance and inspection reports 
• Driver qualification file and CDL status 
• Drug and alcohol testing results after the crash 
• Weigh station records and bills of lading 
• GPS and telematics data showing speed and location 
• Dash cam and forward-facing camera footage 
• Company hiring, training, and supervision policies 

Federal law requires trucking companies to preserve this evidence after serious crashes. Still, preservation letters and spoliation motions often become necessary when companies attempt to destroy records. Firms that understand federal discovery rules obtain this information quickly and hold carriers accountable. With the FMCSA's 2025 updates to the Crash Preventability Determination Program, more data on preventable crashes, such as those caused by fatigue or distraction, will be scrutinized in litigation. 

Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Crash Claims 

Liability extends far beyond the truck driver in most commercial cases. Potentially responsible parties include: 

• Trucking company or motor carrier 
• Cargo loading company 
• Truck or trailer owner (if leased) 
• Maintenance and repair contractors 
• Truck or parts manufacturers 
• Shippers and brokers who pressured for unsafe schedules 

Texas law allows claims against all negligent parties. This multiple-defendant approach often unlocks additional insurance coverage. It prevents any single insurer from claiming the policy limit has already been reached. In Belton cases, where local haulers serve the Fort Hood area and nearby industries, shippers, such as those in the defense sector, may face scrutiny for tight delivery deadlines that contribute to fatigue. 

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Belton 

Beyond causes, victims might anticipate legal strategies by knowing the types of accidents. Semi-trucks account for more than 83% of commercial collisions in Texas. Common varieties consist of: 

• Rear-end collisions: Often due to extended stopping distances, these account for many I-35 incidents in Bell County. 
• Jackknife accidents: Sudden braking on slick roads causes the trailer to swing, blocking lanes and causing pileups. 
• Underride crashes: Passenger vehicles slide under trailers, leading to decapitation or crush injuries; guards are mandated but often inadequate. 
• Rollover incidents: High centers of gravity and sharp turns at the Belton exits contribute, especially when cargo is overloaded. 
• Wide-turn collisions: Trucks require extra space to operate during right-hand turns; for example, the intersection of Loop 121 features narrow lanes where trucks can squeeze adjacent vehicles. 
• Tire blowouts or brake failures: Mechanical issues can propel trucks into oncoming traffic, which is common on Central Texas's uneven pavement. 

In Texas, 35% of truck crashes occur at intersections; 1,825 events were reported in 2024. These kinds increase the necessity for professional reconstruction in claims. 

Types of Compensation Available to Belton Truck Accident Victims 

Successful claims recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement. 

In cases of gross negligence or FMCSR violations, Texas courts may award exemplary (punitive) damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Surviving family members can pursue wrongful death and survival actions when a loved one dies because of a truck driver’s negligence. 

Medical bills from a single serious truck accident frequently exceed $500,000, and lifetime care for paralysis or brain injury victims can reach tens of millions. Thorough future-care planning with life care planners and economists ensures settlements and verdicts cover long-term needs. With oral fluid drug testing now supplementing urine tests under the 2025 DOT rules, proving impairment becomes more straightforward, potentially boosting punitive awards. 

Texas Statutes of Limitations and Notice Requirements 

For personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from truck accidents, Texas has a two-year statute of limitations. Recovery is forever barred if this deadline is missed. Claims against government entities that operate commercial vehicles sometimes require notice within six months. 

Trucking companies often fall under federal regulations that trigger immediate obligations to preserve evidence. Delaying legal action risks the loss of critical data that cannot be recreated. FMCSA's 2025 waiver for electronic medical certifications, effective until October 12, eases some administrative burdens but does not alter core timelines. 

Why Belton Area Victims Need Specialized Representation 

Truck accident litigation demands knowledge of both Texas personal injury law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Defense firms hired by large carriers possess decades of experience defending these cases and vast resources to fight claims. Victims deserve attorneys who match that expertise on the plaintiff side. 

The attorneys at Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP, handle commercial vehicle cases throughout Central Texas. The firm maintains relationships with accident reconstruction engineers, trucking industry experts, and medical specialists who strengthen serious injury claims. In light of 2025's "Pro-Trucker Package" initiatives, including HOS pilot programs and parking funding, our team stays ahead of regulatory shifts to bolster client cases. 

Contact Our Attorneys Today 

If you or a loved one suffered injury in a collision with an 18-wheeler, box truck, or other commercial vehicle in the Belton area, act quickly to protect your rights. Call Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP or complete the online contact form at sytfirm.com for a free case evaluation. Truck accident claims move fast on the defense side. Level the playing field by contacting experienced representation immediately.