Deke Slayton Blvd FM 518 Truck Accident Lawyers

Although Texas’s “farm-to-market” road system might seem confusing, it was created to identify roads that connected rural areas to cities or major highways leading to cities. Commercial vehicles that use this road occasionally cause truck accidents. If you’ve been in an accident, Zehl & Associates can help when you call (713) 491-6064. 

FM 518 was first designated in 1945. It has evolved over time, with road segments added or removed from the designation. Currently, this road connects Houston, Texas, to Pearland, Friendswood, and Kemah.

Texas truck accident lawyers can help victims understand their rights after a crash. Contact Zehl & Associates for a free consultation. 

Table Of Contents

• How Zehl & Associates Can Help After an Accident in Texas
• Truck Accidents on FM 518
• Causes of Texas Truck Accidents
• Liability for Truck Accidents in Texas
• Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Record-Setting Houston Truck Accident Attorneys Today at (713) 491-6064

How Zehl & Associates Can Help After an Accident in Texas

At Zehl & Associates, our track record speaks for itself. With Billions won for crash victims, including some of the largest truck accident verdicts and settlements in Texas and U.S. history,  our undefeated attorneys know exactly how to stand up to the largest trucking companies in the world and not only win, but secure record-setting recoveries on behalf of our clients.

If you or a loved one were harmed by a truck driver or transportation company’s reckless actions, we have the resources, experience, and proven courtroom results to stand up, fight, and win for your family.

When you hire our law firm, you’re hiring a team committed to securing maximum compensation and standing by you every step of the way:

• Immediately launch a full-scale investigation and preserve critical evidence before the trucking company has a chance to hide or destroy it.
• Identify every safety violation and regulatory breach that contributed to the crash, whether it’s driver fatigue, maintenance failures, or Hours-of-Service violations.
• Connect you with top medical specialists to ensure you receive the best care for your injuries and fully document the impact on your health and your future.
• Make sure your reasonable living expenses and medical bills are covered while your case is pending, so you can focus on what matters most
• Prepare your case for trial from day one, using accident reconstructionists, trucking industry experts, and our trial-tested legal team to prove what really happened.
• Never accept less than you deserve. If the company refuses to pay full compensation, we’ll take them to court, where we’ve never lost a truck accident case.

When your health, your financial future, and your family’s security are on the line, you need a law firm that never backs down in pursuit of justice.

Contact Zehl & Associates to schedule a free consultation with a Texas truck accident attorney to discuss how we can secure your future.

Truck Accidents on FM 518

The State of Texas does not publish truck accident numbers for individual roads. However, FM 518 follows a path that is attractive to trucks because it avoids traffic congestion in Houston. Moreover, it provides a direct route to Pearland, Friendswood, League City, and Kemah.

FM 518 changes names several times along its route as follows:

• FM 518 is called Broadway from FM 521 through Pearland
• It changes to Friendswood Dr. in Friendswood
• It’s called Main St. in League City
• It becomes Deke Slayton Hwy. from Egret Bay Blvd. to Kemah

This road is a divided highway along certain segments, including the section known as Deke Slayton Hwy. Along the other segments, it’s a multilane, undivided road.

Causes of Texas Truck Accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for regulating the interstate trucking industry. It conducted a study several years ago to determine the causes of large truck collisions. Knowing the cause of a crash helps truck accident lawyers determine whether their clients have a case and, if so, which party is liable for their injuries.

Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Texas:

Brake Problems

18-wheelers have complex braking systems for both the tractor and trailer. These brakes are necessary for safe operation because a fully loaded tractor-trailer combination can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When the brakes malfunction, the driver can’t control their rig, potentially resulting in a crash.

Speeding

Speeding is particularly dangerous in a heavy truck. A truck has far more momentum than a passenger vehicle traveling at the same speed because of its greater mass. As a result, it has a much longer stopping distance.

When trucks speed, the driver drastically reduces the window to avoid a collision, and the odds of losing control of their trailer or load increase dramatically. High-speed truck accidents tend to be much more deadly than low-speed ones.

Liability for Truck Accidents in Texas

The responsibility for a truck accident typically falls on the trucking company rather than the driver. Employers are vicariously liable for employee negligence. Thus, the liability for crashes falls on the company when the driver is an employee.

The doctrine of vicarious liability doesn’t apply to contractors. However, a trucking company might still bear the blame for owner-operators who drive its cargo if the company was negligent in hiring the driver.

The company’s negligence in other areas could also result in its liability for truck crash injuries. For example, other grounds for holding a trucking company liable for crashes include:

• Unreasonably overworking drivers, resulting in fatigue
• Carelessly neglecting the maintenance of trucks and trailers
• Improperly conducting or reporting drug and alcohol tests
• Negligently loading or securing the truck’s cargo

Fortunately, federal law mandates that large truck operators carry liability insurance and surety bonds to pay for any damage their vehicles cause. The amount of coverage required depends on the company’s activities. The federal minimum is $750,000, with higher amounts imposed for hazardous material carriers.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Record-Setting Houston Truck Accident Attorneys Today at (713) 491-6064

The sheer weight and power of a semi truck can cause catastrophic injuries when it impacts a smaller vehicle on FM 518 in Texas. Contact Zehl & Associates for a free consultation with a Texas truck accident lawyer to discuss your truck accident injuries and the compensation we can help you pursue from the responsible parties and their insurers.

Our experienced Houston truck lawyers are ready to help you take on a tough insurance company and fight for the compensation you need. 

When you ask for our help, you’ll benefit from a team with decades of experience that’s won billions in damages.

Your first consultation is free, so reach out to our law offices today to get started.

Call Zehl & Associates at (713) 491-6064 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.