What Does FM Mean in Texas?

what does FM mean in Texas

Even as the cities of Texas grew larger and more dense in the 1930s and 40s, the majority of the state remained dedicated to agriculture and livestock ranching. To speed the flow of farm and ranch products to various transportation hubs, Texas established the Farm to Market (FM) road system in 1949. Later, the state designated Ranch to Market (RM) roads for those moving cattle, sheep, and other animals for commerce.

As a critical part of Texas’ highway system, it’s important that motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists understand their rights on these roads in the event they experience injury or property damage. The Lubbock car accident attorneys at Liggett Law Group explain what FM means in Texas and how you can seek legal assistance if you are involved in an accident.

Farm to Market Roads Are Unique to the Lone Star State

Starting in 1936, farm to market roads appeared across the state and gained official designation with the Colson-Briscoe Act. This legislation appropriated $15 million from the Texas General Fund to construct roads for farm and ranch commerce, overseen by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Today, this system of roads ranges from small narrow lanes to eight-lane highways and is the largest secondary highway system in the country, unique to Texas.

Over half of Texas’ roads fall under the FM program and feature special signage to indicate their status. With a black and white format featuring the state silhouette, these signs appear on over half (41,000) of the state’s 73,000 miles of highways. Farm to Market and Ranch to Market roads are paved and maintained similarly to regular highways, and can provide a charming way to absorb the beauty and culture of Texas for locals and visitors.

There are currently 3,550 Farm to Market roads and 180 designated as Ranch to Market. Each route is also numbered. Farm to Market roads vary in length from less than a quarter mile long to nearly 140 miles for FM 168. Ranch to Market roads range from 0.69 mile to almost 82 miles.

Observing Road Etiquette Is the Key to Safety on Farm and Ranch Roads

ranch roadsBecause of their unique nature, Farm to Market and Ranch to Market roads can be home to traveling animal herds and oversized farm equipment. Smaller roads may be home to higher than usual numbers of pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. It’s vital to take extra precautions to protect everyone’s safety.

Liggett Law Firm recommends these etiquette guidelines on FM and RM roadways:

  • Stay alert and watch for both livestock and stray wild animals.
  • Acknowledge other motorists and make eye contact with pedestrians or bicyclists so they know you see them.
  • On two-lane roads, be prepared to move over or take other actions to safely pass or let others pass.
  • Use extra caution when merging, especially when trailers carrying animals or feed are present.
  • Increase your following distance behind trailers hauling animals to reduce the risk of rear-end accidents if the truck driver needs to stop or slow unexpectedly.
  • Yield the right-of-way to livestock, equestrians, farm equipment, and pedestrians.
  • Take a minute and wave to each other on the back roads.

Much like any other road, you must obey all traffic laws and drive safely. Even when an FM or RM is bigger than a two-lane road, you should stay aware of the unique concerns that accompany these routes. Remember that they are a lifeline for farm and ranch workers who travel them regularly, so be on the lookout for potential risks that could lead to an accident.

What to Do if You Are Hurt on a Farm or Ranch Road in Texas

Just like any other crash, you will have certain legal duties you must perform if you are involved in an accident on a Farm to Market or Ranch to Market road in Texas. Specifically, you must stop at the scene of the collision, exchange your insurance and contact information with other drivers, and contact the local police in the event of injury, property damage, or death.

If you are physically able, you should also do the following:

  • Take photos of your injuries, any property damage, weather conditions, road conditions, and anything else that may show what happened.
  • Don’t make small talk about the accident since you may accidentally say something that could be used against you.
  • If animals are loose, remain in your vehicle (if it is safe to do so) to avoid getting hurt by a panicked or injured animal.
  • Speak with law enforcement to give your side of the story.
  • Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your case.
  • Notify your insurance company, sharing only the vital details and letting your lawyer manage the settlement negotiation.
  • Request a police accident report.
  • Get a medical evaluation at the scene or within 24-48 hours afterward.
  • Maintain your medical records and all receipts associated with the crash.
  • Avoid posting about the accident on social media.

Many personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations so you can discover your legal options without any cost or obligation. During that meeting, an attorney can assess your claim and determine if you have a strong enough case to pursue compensation from whoever is at fault. If so, they will use the evidence you’ve gathered, along with other materials they collect, to demonstrate negligence on the liable party’s fault.

How Your Attorney Can Use Evidence to Support Your Injury Claim

how an attorney can helpAs with any auto accident, the details of what happened and in what order will be vital to showing who is at fault. By gathering information at the scene and in the days following the crash, your lawyer will work to establish who bears the most responsibility. Because Farm to Market and Ranch to Market roads are predominantly used by farm equipment and livestock, it could be challenging to effectively identify all liable parties and assign fault.

Your lawyer’s support team can return to the accident scene and collect additional evidence. They will interview witnesses and engage experts to provide specialized testimony about how the accident occurred. By presenting your medical records, your lawyer can draw a clear connection between the other driver’s actions and your injuries, laying the groundwork for showing negligence.

Your lawyer will also introduce materials that show how the at-fault party owed a duty of care to others using the FM or RM roads. Perhaps they failed to have enough employees to maintain control of a livestock herd, or they did not perform adequate maintenance on farm equipment that hit your vehicle. By establishing the duty and how the other party failed to uphold it, they can continue showing how your injuries and your associated damages resulted directly from that failure.

If You Were Injured on an FM Road, You Might Be Eligible for Compensation

Because the Texas Department of Transportation maintains FM and RM roads, they are responsible for repairs, debris, or any situation that may cause harm to those using these routes. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against that government agency, as well as against any individual or company involved.

To learn more about your legal options, or to learn more about a car accident lawsuit, contact Liggett Law Group to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Lubbock car accident lawyer today.