Belton Personal Injury FAQs – Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP 

At Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP (SYT Firm), we hear the same urgent questions every day from people in Belton and across Bell County who are hurting and unsure where to turn. Maybe you are recovering at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, trying to make sense of medical bills after an I-35 crash, or mourning a loved one lost to a drunk driver. The concerns are always similar: Do I actually have a case? What is it worth? How long will this take? Who is responsible for paying for all of this? 

We understand those questions because we have answered them for decades. Our team includes Mike Scanes, with more than 35 years of trial experience; Ben Yelverton, who focuses on personal injury and insurance disputes; Olivia Blackford, in civil litigation; Tyler Talbert, who is board-certified in civil appellate law; and Jake Ingle, who handles trials & litigation. Together, we concentrate on significant personal injury and wrongful death cases in both state and federal courts. Although our office is in Waco, we regularly serve clients throughout Belton, Temple, Killeen, Nolanville, Harker Heights, Salado, and the rest of Bell County. 

We provide free case reviews and make sure every inquiry receives a timely response. The FAQ guide below is based on real cases and genuine conversations with people in Belton who faced circumstances similar to yours. 

What is a Personal Injury Case in Belton, Texas? 

A personal injury case is a civil claim for compensation when someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentional conduct causes you harm. In Belton, these cases often involve car crashes on I-35 or Loop 121, collisions with 18-wheelers hauling through Fort Cavazos, construction site falls near major development projects, neglect in nursing homes such as Cornerstone Gardens, daycare injuries from choking or playground falls, and wrongful death after DWI crashes or drownings at Belton Lake. 

To win, we must show four things: the other party owed you a duty of care, they failed to meet that duty, their actions caused your injuries, and you suffered real losses. In Texas, you usually have two years to file under Tex. Civ. Prac. And Rem. Code Section 16.003. Missing the deadline means the court will dismiss your case permanently. 

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Belton Injury Claim? 

If your injuries are severe or the insurance company is already calling, the answer is yes. Adjusters work for the insurance company. Their goal is to protect their employer, not you. They may pressure you to give recorded statements, try to shift blame onto you, or push quick settlement offers before you understand the full impact of your injuries. 

Our firm handles every step, including securing police reports, dashcam footage, and black box data; hiring accident reconstruction experts; working with medical specialists; and negotiating with major insurers such as State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO. If the settlement is unfair, we prepare for trial. One client, Betty Worsdale, summed it up simply: “This was our first time to work with attorneys… They have led us through this process, making us the priority at all times. They are honest, caring, and we would recommend them to anyone.” 

How Much Does it Cost to Hire the SYT Firm in Belton? 

You will never pay anything to have us review your case. Schedule a free case evaluation online or call us today. Someone from our team will review your information and respond as quickly as possible. 

How Long do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Belton? 

Most injury cases must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Wrongful death claims follow the same timeline and begin on the date of death. Certain exceptions exist. Minors have until two years after turning eighteen. Claims involving government entities, such as crashes involving a city bus, must be reported in writing within six months. In rare circumstances where an injury is discovered later, the clock may start when the harm is reasonably identified. Evidence fades quickly, so contacting our attorneys early helps protect your case. 

What Damages Can I Recover? 

Texas allows three types of damages: 

• Economic damages include things like medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation, property damage, and modifications to your home or vehicle if needed. 
• Non-economic damages compensate for pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. 
• Punitive damages are only available when the at-fault party acted with extreme disregard for safety, such as in drunk driving crashes. 

In wrongful death cases, spouses, children, or parents may seek compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. In severe injury cases, we work with experts to calculate lifetime care needs. 

What if I Share Some Fault for the Accident? 

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault you bear. 

For example, if your damages equal 200,000 dollars and you are found 30 percent at fault, your recovery becomes 140,000 dollars. Do not assume you are to blame. We have turned around many cases where people believed they had no chance. 

How Long Will My Case Take? 

It depends on your injuries, the complexity of the case, and how much the insurance company disputes. Generally: 

• Minor injuries that settle may take 3 to 9 months to heal. 
• Cases involving surgery often take 9 to 18 months. 
• Catastrophic injury cases can take 1 to 3 years. 
• Cases that go through trial and appeal may take 2 to 5 years. 

We never rush a case at the expense of your recovery. Mike Scanes has tried more than 100 cases to verdict when litigation was the best option. 

What Should I do Immediately After a Belton Accident? 

Follow these steps: 

1. Seek medical attention even if you feel only minor pain. 
2. Call the police and get the crash report number. 
3. Document the scene with photos and gather witness contact information. 
4. Avoid giving any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. 
5. Contact SYT Firm for a free case review. 

Remember that the insurance company is protecting its own interests. 

Will My Case Go To Trial? 

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. Preparation gives you leverage. Bell County juries take injury cases seriously, especially when large corporations or trucking companies are involved. 

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Does SYT Firm Handle? 

We focus on significant cases, including: 

• Catastrophic injuries 
• Vehicle collisions involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, ATVs, and boats 
• DWI crashes 
• Construction and workplace injuries 
• Nursing home abuse and neglect 
• Daycare injuries 
• Drowning accidents 
• Aviation accidents 
• Wrongful death cases 

For non-subscriber employers, we can sue directly for the full range of damages allowed under Texas law. 

How Do You Prove Fault in a Belton Car Accident? 

We collect and analyze all available evidence, including police reports, camera footage, cell phone data, expert reconstruction, and event data recorders. Texas is an at-fault state, and our job is to show the other driver failed to use ordinary care. 

What if My Employer Does Not Carry Workers’ Compensation? 

In Texas, many employers opt out of the workers’ compensation system. If yours is a non-subscriber, you can sue directly for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages if safety was ignored. We also pursue claims against subcontractors or equipment manufacturers when appropriate. 

Can SYT Firm Help With Nursing Home Abuse in Belton? 

Yes. We investigate pressure sores, fractures, medication errors, malnutrition, dehydration, and both physical and sexual abuse. We review medical records, staffing schedules, and camera footage when permitted by law. Staffing shortages are common, and violations strengthen your case. 

What Happens in a Belton Wrongful Death Lawsuit? 

Only spouses, children, or parents may file. Damages may include funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance. We handle probate matters and help families through the legal process with clarity and compassion. 

Why Choose SYT Firm Over Other Belton Attorneys? 

We focus on significant cases, maintain a trial-ready team, and understand the local courts, hospitals, and accident patterns. Our team includes a board-certified appellate lawyer, and our attorneys have secured multi-million dollar results in cases others turned down. 

Why Belton Trusts Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP 

We are more than legal counsel. We stand with you. We have represented Belton families after daycare drownings, exposed unsafe trucking practices, and fought for construction workers who were injured due to employers cutting corners. Belton has unique risks, and we know them well. We visit crash sites, work closely with treating physicians, and consult experts to calculate long-term needs. Our record speaks through the families we have helped and the harmful practices we have brought to light. 

Your Next Step Today 

The two-year deadline arrives faster than most people expect, and insurance companies begin working against you almost immediately. 

Here is what happens when you contact us: 

1. Call or submit our secure online form. 
2. A senior attorney reviews your case within 24 hours. 
3. We schedule a free consultation. 
4. You receive a clear explanation of your case, possible value, and timeline. 
5. If we move forward, we handle every aspect of the case and guide you through each step. 

You do not have to go through this alone. Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP is here to be your advocate from the first phone call to the final resolution.