Fatal 18-Wheeler and Tractor-Trailer Crashes in Williamson County, Texas: Your Legal Rights and Next Steps

You’re reading this because someone you love didn’t come home from one of Williamson County’s busiest freight corridors. Maybe it was the morning commute on I-35 through Round Rock, where Amazon delivery trucks, Sysco foodservice haulers, and long-haul tractor-trailers share the road with your family’s sedan. Maybe it was FM 1431 near Cedar Park, where oilfield service trucks and gravel haulers move between construction sites. Or perhaps it was the evening rush on US-183, where an 80,000-pound semi-truck traveling at highway speed failed to stop in time. Whatever the corridor, the outcome is the same: a Williamson County family is grieving, and the trucking company responsible has already assigned a claims adjuster whose job is to close your file for the lowest possible amount.

We know how this works. We’ve been handling these cases in Texas since 1998. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent his entire career in the courtrooms of Travis, Williamson, and surrounding counties, holding carriers accountable when their drivers, their dispatchers, or their corporate decisions cause catastrophic crashes. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm—calculating claim valuations, hiring independent medical examiners, and deploying the same tactics the adjuster calling you right now is using. Now, he deploys that insider knowledge for you.

This isn’t just another truck crash. This is your family’s life, your future, and your right to hold the responsible parties accountable under Texas law. Below, we walk through what Texas wrongful death and survival statutes give you, what the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations say the carrier should have done, who beyond the driver may be liable, and—most critically—what you need to do in the next 48 hours to preserve the evidence that disappears when the carrier controls it.

The Reality of a Fatal Truck Crash in Williamson County

Williamson County recorded 9,210 crashes in 2024—one every 57 minutes. Of those, 29 were fatal, and many involved commercial vehicles. The corridors that carry Williamson County’s freight—Interstate 35 between Georgetown and Round Rock, US-183 through Cedar Park and Leander, FM 1431 connecting Marble Falls to Round Rock, and the toll roads of SH 45 and SH 130—are the same corridors where the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) documents elevated fatality rates for commercial vehicle crashes.

When a fully loaded tractor-trailer loses control on I-35’s northbound lanes during the morning commute, the physics are unforgiving. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 70 mph requires 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. If the driver is fatigued, distracted, or the brakes are improperly maintained, that stopping distance becomes irrelevant. The crash isn’t just a collision; it’s a closing-speed event that frequently produces fatalities and catastrophic injuries. In Williamson County, where the morning and evening rush hours bring commuter traffic into direct contact with freight traffic, these crashes are not anomalies. They are the documented daily reality of the county’s freight environment.

What Texas Law Gives Your Family After a Fatal Truck Crash

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 establishes two separate claims for families after a fatal crash: a wrongful death claim and a survival action.

Wrongful Death Claim (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.001 et seq.)

Under § 71.004, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased each hold an independent wrongful death claim. This means that if your loved one was survived by a spouse and two children, there are three separate wrongful death claims—one for each surviving family member. These claims compensate for:

• Pecuniary loss (financial support the deceased would have provided)
• Loss of companionship and society (the emotional bond between the deceased and each survivor)
• Mental anguish (the emotional pain and suffering of losing a loved one)

Survival Action (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.021)

The survival action is brought by the estate of the deceased and compensates for the damages the deceased would have been able to recover if they had survived. This includes:

• Pain and mental anguish the deceased endured between the time of injury and death
• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Funeral and burial expenses

The Two-Year Clock Under § 16.003

Texas law gives you two years from the date of the fatal injury to file both the wrongful death claim and the survival action. This clock runs whether or not the trucking company’s insurer is returning your calls. Once the two years pass, the case dies procedurally, and the carrier walks away from a viable claim. We never advise a family to wait until the last minute—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the carrier’s defense team has been working since the night of the crash.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Was Supposed to Follow

Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) at 49 C.F.R. Parts 390 through 399 establish the safety rules every motor carrier and commercial driver must follow. When a carrier violates these regulations, Texas law treats the violation as negligence per se—meaning the jury can find the carrier negligent simply because the rule was broken. Below are the key regulations that frequently apply in fatal truck crashes in Williamson County:

Hours of Service (49 C.F.R. Part 395)

Fatigue is a leading cause of truck crashes. To combat this, the FMCSR limits how long a commercial driver can operate a vehicle:

• 11-hour driving limit: A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-hour duty limit: A driver may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 60/70-hour limit: A driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days.
• 30-minute break: A driver must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.

What this means for your case:

• We subpoena the driver’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, which records every minute the truck was moving.
• We cross-reference the ELD data with dispatch records, fuel receipts, and toll records to identify falsified logs.
• If the driver was operating beyond the hours-of-service limits, the carrier is liable for negligence per se under Texas law.

Driver Qualification (49 C.F.R. Part 391)

Carriers are required to vet their drivers thoroughly before hiring them. This includes:

• Pre-employment screening: The carrier must obtain the driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR) from every state where the driver held a license in the past three years.
• Medical certification: The driver must pass a physical exam conducted by a certified medical examiner and obtain a medical certificate.
• Road test: The carrier must conduct a road test or accept a valid CDL as proof of the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle.
• Drug and alcohol testing: The carrier must conduct pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests.

What this means for your case:

• We subpoena the driver’s qualification file, which includes the MVR, medical certificate, road test results, and drug/alcohol test history.
• If the carrier hired a driver with a history of DUI convictions, hours-of-service violations, or preventable crashes, we pursue negligent hiring claims against the carrier.
• If the driver was operating without a valid medical certificate or with a suspended CDL, the carrier is liable for negligence per se.

Vehicle Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (49 C.F.R. Part 396)

Carriers are required to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. This includes:

• Pre-trip inspections: Drivers must inspect their vehicles before each trip and report any defects.
• Annual inspections: Every commercial vehicle must undergo an annual inspection by a qualified inspector.
• Brake system maintenance: Brakes must be adjusted and maintained to ensure they meet federal standards.
• Tire safety: Tires must have adequate tread depth (minimum 4/32″ for steer tires, 2/32″ for all others) and be free of defects.

What this means for your case:

• We subpoena the carrier’s maintenance records for the truck involved in the crash.
• If the brakes, tires, or other critical components were not properly maintained, the carrier is liable for negligence per se.
• We hire accident reconstruction experts to determine whether mechanical failure contributed to the crash.

Cargo Securement (49 C.F.R. Part 393, Subpart I)

Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The FMCSR requires carriers to:

• Secure cargo to prevent it from shifting or falling off the vehicle.
• Use appropriate tie-downs, blocking, and bracing to ensure the cargo remains stable.
• Comply with specific securement rules for different types of cargo (e.g., logs, steel coils, heavy machinery).

What this means for your case:

• If the crash was caused by shifting cargo, we pursue claims against the carrier for negligent loading and failure to secure cargo.
• If the cargo was loaded by a third party (e.g., a shipper or loading dock), we may also pursue claims against that party.

Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 C.F.R. § 382.303)

After a fatal crash, the carrier is required to conduct drug and alcohol tests on the driver within 8 hours for alcohol and 32 hours for drugs. If the driver tests positive, the carrier is liable for gross negligence under Texas law, which opens the door to exemplary damages (punitive damages) under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41.

What this means for your case:

• We subpoena the results of the post-accident drug and alcohol test.
• If the driver tested positive, we pursue gross negligence claims against the carrier, which can significantly increase the value of your case.
• Lupe Peña’s experience on the defense side gives us insight into how carriers try to hide or manipulate these test results. We know the tricks, and we counter them.

Who Beyond the Driver May Be Liable

Most families assume the driver is the only defendant in a truck crash case. In reality, multiple parties may share liability for the crash. We pursue every responsible party to maximize your recovery and hold all negligent actors accountable.

The Motor Carrier (Trucking Company)

The carrier is liable for the driver’s negligence under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior (let the master answer). However, the carrier may also be directly liable for its own negligence, including:

• Negligent hiring: Hiring a driver with a history of violations or crashes.
• Negligent training: Failing to properly train the driver on safety protocols.
• Negligent supervision: Ignoring prior preventability determinations or hours-of-service violations.
• Negligent dispatch: Pressuring the driver to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, leading to fatigue or speeding.

The Freight Broker

If the carrier was operating under a brokered load (common in the trucking industry), the broker may also be liable for negligent selection of the carrier. Under the Miller v. C.H. Robinson line of cases, brokers have a duty to vet carriers for safety before dispatching loads. If the broker selected a carrier with a poor safety record, we pursue claims against the broker.

The Shipper

If the shipper directed the loading of the cargo or specified an unrealistic delivery schedule, the shipper may share liability for the crash. For example:

• If the shipper loaded the cargo improperly, causing it to shift and destabilize the truck, the shipper may be liable for negligent loading.
• If the shipper pressured the carrier to meet an unrealistic delivery deadline, leading to driver fatigue or speeding, the shipper may be liable for negligent scheduling.

The Maintenance Contractor

If the crash was caused by a mechanical failure (e.g., brake failure, tire blowout), the maintenance contractor responsible for inspecting and repairing the truck may share liability. We subpoena the maintenance records to determine whether the contractor failed to identify and repair the defect.

The Parts Manufacturer

If the crash was caused by a defective part (e.g., a faulty brake system, tire, or steering component), the manufacturer of the part may be liable for product liability. We work with experts to determine whether the part was defective and whether the defect contributed to the crash.

The Government Entity (Texas Tort Claims Act)

If the crash was caused by a roadway defect (e.g., missing guardrails, inadequate signage, potholes), the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may share liability. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 101), you must file a notice of claim within six months of the crash. Damages are capped at:

• $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities.
• $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for state agencies.

The Corporate Parent

If the carrier is a subsidiary of a larger corporation (e.g., Amazon Logistics, FedEx Ground), we may pursue claims against the parent corporation under the legal doctrines of alter ego or single business enterprise. These doctrines allow us to “pierce the corporate veil” and hold the parent corporation liable for the subsidiary’s negligence.

Damages: What Your Family May Be Entitled to Recover

Texas law recognizes multiple categories of damages in wrongful death and survival actions. Below, we walk through each category and explain how it applies to your case.

Wrongful Death Damages (for Surviving Family Members)

1. Pecuniary Loss (Financial Support)

   • Compensates for the financial support the deceased would have provided to the family.
   • Includes lost wages, benefits, and household services (e.g., childcare, home maintenance).
   • Calculated based on the deceased’s earning capacity, life expectancy, and the needs of the surviving family members.

2. Loss of Companionship and Society

   • Compensates for the emotional bond between the deceased and each surviving family member.
   • Includes the loss of love, affection, guidance, and emotional support.

3. Mental Anguish

   • Compensates for the emotional pain and suffering of losing a loved one.
   • Includes grief, sorrow, and the psychological impact of the loss.

4. Loss of Inheritance

   • Compensates for the inheritance the surviving family members would have received if the deceased had lived a full life.

Survival Action Damages (for the Estate)

1. Pain and Mental Anguish Before Death

   • Compensates for the conscious pain and suffering the deceased endured between the time of injury and death.
   • Includes physical pain, emotional distress, and fear of impending death.

2. Medical Expenses

   • Compensates for the medical bills incurred before death.

3. Funeral and Burial Expenses

   • Compensates for the cost of the funeral and burial.

Exemplary Damages (Punitive Damages)

If the carrier’s conduct rises to the level of gross negligence—meaning the carrier acted with malice or conscious indifference to the safety of others—the jury may award exemplary damages to punish the carrier and deter similar conduct in the future. Examples of gross negligence include:

• Falsifying hours-of-service logs to hide fatigue violations.
• Hiring a driver with a history of DUI convictions or preventable crashes.
• Ignoring prior preventability determinations and continuing to dispatch the driver.
• Failing to maintain critical safety components (e.g., brakes, tires) despite knowing they were defective.

Exemplary damages are not capped in Texas when the underlying act is a felony (e.g., intoxication manslaughter). However, if the gross negligence does not involve a felony, exemplary damages are capped at:

• $200,000, or
• Two times the amount of economic damages plus the amount of non-economic damages, up to $750,000.

The Carrier’s Defense Playbook—and How We Counter It

The trucking company’s defense lawyer has a script. We’ve read it before we walk into the courtroom. Below, we expose the most common defense tactics and explain how we counter each one.

Tactic 1: “The Driver Did Nothing Wrong”

What they say: “Our driver was professional, followed all safety protocols, and the crash was unavoidable.”
Our counter:

• We subpoena the driver’s ELD data, dispatch records, and prior preventability determinations.
• If the ELD data shows the driver was operating beyond hours-of-service limits, we prove falsified logs.
• If the driver has a history of preventable crashes, we prove the carrier ignored warning signs.
• If the maintenance records show the brakes or tires were defective, we prove the carrier failed to maintain the truck.

Tactic 2: “You Were Partially at Fault”

What they say: “The deceased was speeding / not wearing a seatbelt / changed lanes unsafely.”
Our counter:

• Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. Even if the deceased was 50% at fault, your family can still recover.
• We hire accident reconstruction experts to prove the truck driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the crash.
• We use dashcam footage, ELD data, and witness statements to refute the carrier’s claims.

Tactic 3: “Your Injuries Aren’t Serious”

What they say: “The deceased didn’t seek medical treatment immediately, so their injuries must not have been serious.”
Our counter:

• Adrenaline masks pain. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and internal injuries often take days or weeks to surface.
• We work with medical experts to document the full extent of the injuries, including delayed-onset conditions.
• We never advise a client to settle before the full extent of their injuries is known.

Tactic 4: “The Evidence Disappeared”

What they say: “The ELD data was overwritten / the dashcam footage was lost / the maintenance records were destroyed.”
Our counter:

• We send preservation letters to the carrier, broker, shipper, and telematics provider within 24 hours of taking the case.
• We put the carrier on notice that spoliation of evidence will be argued—and an adverse inference charge will be sought if evidence disappears.
• We subpoena the raw electronic data before the carrier can “lose” it.

Tactic 5: “We’ll Settle Quickly for a Low Amount”

What they say: “We’ll offer you a quick settlement to avoid the hassle of a lawsuit.”
Our counter:

• First offers are always a fraction of the case’s true value.
• We calculate the full value of your case—including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering—before responding to any offer.
• We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours after the crash.

The Evidence That Disappears in the First 48 Hours

Evidence in commercial vehicle cases has a half-life measured in days, not months. Below is a timeline of what disappears—and what we do to preserve it.

What this means for your family:

• The carrier controls most of this evidence. If we don’t act fast, it disappears.
• We send preservation letters within 24 hours of taking your case to lock down the evidence.
• We subpoena the ELD data, black box data, dispatch records, and maintenance records before the carrier can “lose” them.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Williamson County Truck Crash Case

Most personal injury firms in Texas have never read 49 C.F.R. Parts 390 through 399. They treat truck crashes like car crashes—settling quickly for low amounts and moving on to the next case. We don’t. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. We Sue Trucking Companies, Not Just Drivers

We don’t stop at the driver. We pursue the carrier, the broker, the shipper, the maintenance contractor, the parts manufacturer, and the corporate parent. The driver is rarely the most exposed defendant. The carrier’s corporate decisions—hiring, training, dispatching, maintaining—are what produce catastrophic crashes.

2. We Know the Defense Playbook Because We Used to Run It

Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm, calculating claim valuations and deploying the same tactics the adjuster calling you right now is using. Now, he deploys that insider knowledge for you. For example:

“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze ONE frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.”

3. We Pull Federal Data Before Discovery Formally Opens

Most firms wait until discovery to pull the carrier’s safety records. We don’t. Within 48 hours of taking your case, we:

• Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
• Pull the driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record.
• Pull the carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores.
• Identify all prior preventability determinations and out-of-service orders.

This gives us a roadmap for the case before the defense even files an answer.

4. We File in the County the Carrier Wishes You Wouldn’t

Williamson County sits in Travis County for state court purposes and the Western District of Texas, Austin Division for federal court. Both venues have plaintiff-friendly reputations. We file where the carrier fears to defend.

5. We Have Recovered Multi-Million Dollar Settlements for Texas Families

While we can’t guarantee a specific result—every case is unique—we have recovered significant settlements and verdicts for Texas families, including:

• $5+ million for a client who suffered a brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company.
• $3.8+ million for a client whose leg was amputated after a car accident led to staff infections during treatment.
• $2+ million for a maritime worker who injured his back while lifting cargo on a ship (Jones Act case).
• Millions in wrongful death cases involving trucking crashes.

“Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.”

6. We Speak Spanish Fluently

Williamson County’s Hispanic population is growing rapidly, and we serve Spanish-speaking families with the same depth and rigor as English-speaking clients. Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña and our staff member Zulema are fluent, so you never need an interpreter.

7. We Offer 24/7 Live Staff—Not an Answering Service

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you speak to a live staff member, not an answering service. We’re available around the clock to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

What to Do Next: The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

The carrier’s defense team has been working since the night of the crash. The longer you wait, the more evidence disappears. Here’s what we do in the first 48 hours to protect your case:

1. Send Preservation Letters

   • We send letters to the carrier, broker, shipper, and telematics provider, identifying the evidence that must be preserved:
     • Electronic logging device (ELD) data
     • Black box (event data recorder) data
     • Dashcam footage
     • Dispatch records
     • Maintenance records
     • Driver qualification file
     • Post-accident drug and alcohol test results
     • Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy
   • We put the carrier on notice that spoliation of evidence will be argued—and an adverse inference charge will be sought if evidence disappears.

2. Pull Federal Data

   • We pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
   • We pull the driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record.
   • We identify all prior preventability determinations and out-of-service orders.

3. Subpoena Critical Records

   • We subpoena the ELD data and black box data before the carrier can overwrite it.
   • We subpoena the dashcam footage and dispatch records.
   • We request the driver’s paper logs (backup documentation).

4. Hire an Accident Reconstruction Expert

   • We deploy an expert to the crash scene to document the physical evidence.
   • We photograph the vehicles before they are repaired or scrapped.
   • We preserve skid marks, debris fields, and roadway conditions.

5. Identify All Liable Parties

   • We identify every potential defendant: the driver, the carrier, the broker, the shipper, the maintenance contractor, the parts manufacturer, and any government entity responsible for roadway defects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Texas?

You have two years from the date of the fatal injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. This clock runs whether or not the trucking company’s insurer is returning your calls. Once the two years pass, the case dies procedurally, and the carrier walks away from a viable claim.

2. Can I still recover if my loved one was partially at fault?

Yes. Texas follows modified comparative negligence under § 33.001. Even if your loved one was 50% at fault, you can still recover. If they were 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover. We hire accident reconstruction experts to prove the truck driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the crash.

3. What if the trucking company offers me a quick settlement?

Do not accept a quick settlement. First offers are always a fraction of the case’s true value. We calculate the full value of your case—including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering—before responding to any offer.

4. Can I switch lawyers if I’m not happy with my current representation?

Yes. You can switch lawyers at any time. If your current attorney is not returning your calls, not updating you, or pushing you to settle for too low, you have options. We’ve taken over cases from other lawyers and secured significant recoveries for our clients.

5. What if the truck driver was arrested or charged with a crime?

The criminal case proceeds independently of the civil case. However, a criminal conviction can be used as evidence in the civil case under the legal doctrine of collateral estoppel. We monitor the criminal case and use any favorable rulings to strengthen your civil claim.

6. How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is 33.33% of the recovery if the case settles before trial and 40% if the case goes to trial. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses, but we advance those costs and deduct them from your recovery.

7. What if I don’t speak English fluently?

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña and our staff member Zulema are fluent in Spanish. We serve Spanish-speaking families with the same depth and rigor as English-speaking clients. Your immigration status does not affect your right to compensation in Texas.

8. What if the trucking company claims the driver was an independent contractor?

Many carriers try to avoid liability by claiming the driver was an independent contractor rather than an employee. We counter this defense using three legal tests:

1. ABC Test: The driver is presumed an employee unless the carrier proves:
   • The driver is free from the carrier’s control.
   • The driver performs work outside the carrier’s usual course of business.
   • The driver is customarily engaged in an independently established business.
2. Economic Reality Test: We examine the degree of the carrier’s control, the driver’s opportunity for profit or loss, and whether the work is integral to the carrier’s business.
3. Right-to-Control Test: We prove the carrier retained the right to control how the work was done (not just what work was done).

For example, Amazon DSP drivers and FedEx Ground contractors are often misclassified as independent contractors. We pursue claims against the parent corporations (Amazon, FedEx) under the legal doctrines of alter ego and single business enterprise.

9. What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials?

If the truck was carrying hazardous materials (e.g., fuel, chemicals, pressurized cargo), the case involves additional federal regulations under 49 C.F.R. Parts 100 through 185. These regulations govern:

• Classification of hazardous materials.
• Packaging requirements.
• Labeling and placarding.
• Loading and segregation.
• Emergency response protocols.

A violation of these regulations supports negligence per se under Texas law. The minimum federal liability insurance floor for a Class A hazmat carrier is $5,000,000—five times the floor for a standard non-hazmat carrier.

10. What if the crash involved a government vehicle (e.g., TxDOT, school bus, police)?

If the crash involved a government vehicle, the Texas Tort Claims Act (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 101) applies. Key rules:

• You must file a notice of claim within six months of the crash.
• Damages are capped at:
  • $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities.
  • $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for state agencies.
• The government entity may be liable for roadway defects, inadequate signage, or maintenance neglect.

Williamson County’s Freight Corridors: Where These Crashes Happen

Williamson County’s freight corridors carry some of the highest commercial vehicle traffic in Central Texas. Below, we break down the corridors where fatal truck crashes most frequently occur and the risks each corridor presents.

Interstate 35 (I-35)

• Route: Runs north-south through Williamson County, connecting Austin to Round Rock, Georgetown, and beyond.
• Freight Traffic: Long-haul tractor-trailers, Amazon delivery trucks, Sysco foodservice haulers, and regional LTL carriers.
• Risk Factors:
  • Rush-hour congestion: I-35 is one of the most congested highways in Texas, with stop-and-go traffic during peak commuting hours.
  • Construction zones: TxDOT frequently conducts construction projects on I-35, creating hazardous conditions for commercial vehicles.
  • Fatigue crashes: Long-haul drivers traveling from Laredo to Dallas often pass through Williamson County in the early morning hours, increasing the risk of fatigue-related crashes.
  • Underride crashes: I-35’s mix of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks creates conditions for underride crashes, where a passenger vehicle slides beneath the side or rear of a tractor-trailer.

US Highway 183 (US-183)

• Route: Runs north-south through Cedar Park and Leander, connecting Austin to Lampasas.
• Freight Traffic: Last-mile delivery trucks (Amazon, FedEx, UPS), oilfield service vehicles, and construction haulers.
• Risk Factors:
  • High-speed collisions: US-183 has long stretches of highway where drivers exceed the speed limit, increasing the risk of high-speed collisions with commercial vehicles.
  • Intersection crashes: US-183 intersects with several high-traffic roads (e.g., RM 620, FM 1431), creating conditions for T-bone and rear-end crashes.
  • Blind-spot crashes: Commercial vehicles have large blind spots, and US-183’s mix of passenger vehicles and trucks creates conditions for blind-spot crashes.

Farm-to-Market Road 1431 (FM 1431)

• Route: Runs east-west through Marble Falls, Cedar Park, and Round Rock.
• Freight Traffic: Oilfield service trucks, gravel haulers, and agricultural vehicles.
• Risk Factors:
  • Rural road hazards: FM 1431 is a two-lane rural road with limited shoulders, increasing the risk of run-off-road crashes.
  • Overweight loads: Gravel haulers and oilfield service trucks frequently carry overweight loads, which can destabilize the vehicle and increase the risk of rollovers.
  • Fatigue crashes: Oilfield service drivers often work long shifts, increasing the risk of fatigue-related crashes.

State Highway 45 (SH 45) and State Highway 130 (SH 130)

• Route: Toll roads running east-west (SH 45) and north-south (SH 130) through Williamson County.
• Freight Traffic: Long-haul tractor-trailers, intermodal drayage trucks, and regional LTL carriers.
• Risk Factors:
  • High-speed crashes: SH 130 has a speed limit of 85 mph, the highest in the United States. High-speed crashes involving commercial vehicles are often fatal.
  • Tire blowouts: The heat and stress of high-speed driving increase the risk of tire blowouts, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
  • Underride crashes: The mix of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks creates conditions for underride crashes.

US Highway 79 (US-79)

• Route: Runs east-west through Taylor and Hutto.
• Freight Traffic: Agricultural trucks, livestock haulers, and regional LTL carriers.
• Risk Factors:
  • Rural road hazards: US-79 is a two-lane rural road with limited shoulders, increasing the risk of run-off-road crashes.
  • Overweight loads: Agricultural trucks and livestock haulers frequently carry overweight loads, which can destabilize the vehicle.
  • Animal crossings: US-79 runs through rural areas where livestock and wildlife frequently cross the road, increasing the risk of crashes.

Williamson County’s Trauma Network: Where You’ll Receive Treatment

If your loved one was injured in a truck crash in Williamson County, they will likely be transported to one of the following trauma centers for treatment:

Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (Austin)

• Level: Level I Trauma Center
• Location: Austin, TX (approximately 20 miles from Round Rock)
• Specialties: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, burn injuries, orthopedic trauma

St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center

• Level: Level II Trauma Center
• Location: Round Rock, TX
• Specialties: Emergency care, orthopedic trauma, general surgery

Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock

• Level: Level III Trauma Center
• Location: Round Rock, TX
• Specialties: Emergency care, general surgery, orthopedic trauma

Ascension Seton Williamson (formerly Seton Medical Center Williamson)

• Level: Level IV Trauma Center
• Location: Round Rock, TX
• Specialties: Emergency care, general surgery

The Two-Year Clock Is Running

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful death claim. This clock runs whether or not the trucking company’s insurer is returning your calls. Once the two years pass, the case dies procedurally, and the carrier walks away from a viable claim.

We never advise a family to wait until the last minute. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the carrier’s defense team has been working since the night of the crash. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free Case Evaluation

You don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to help. When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak to a live staff member who will:

• Listen to your story and answer your questions.
• Explain your legal rights under Texas law.
• Walk you through the next steps in the process.
• Connect you with our legal team for a free case evaluation.

There’s no obligation, and everything you tell us is confidential. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is 33.33% of the recovery if the case settles before trial and 40% if the case goes to trial. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses, but we advance those costs and deduct them from your recovery.

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña and our staff member Zulema are fluent in Spanish. We serve Spanish-speaking families with the same depth and rigor as English-speaking clients.

Final Thoughts: Holding the Trucking Company Accountable

No amount of money can replace your loved one. But holding the trucking company accountable can:

• Provide financial security for your family’s future.
• Send a message to the trucking industry that negligence has consequences.
• Prevent future crashes by forcing carriers to improve their safety practices.

We’ve spent 27 years fighting for Texas families like yours. We know the corridors where these crashes happen. We know the carriers that run them. We know the defense tactics the adjuster calling you is using. And we know how to counter them.

The two-year clock under § 16.003 is running. The evidence is disappearing. The carrier’s defense team has been working since the night of the crash. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free case evaluation. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

“Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.”