Farm Tractor Accidents

Farm tractors are a necessary piece of equipment on most farms. However, they can also be dangerous if not operated safely. Each year, there are thousands of farming accidents that occur in the United States.

Many of these accidents result in serious injuries or death. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), farm tractor accidents account for nearly 100 deaths each year.

Were you injured or was your loved one killed in a farm accident? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, are legal advocates for those injured through the reckless negligence of others.

Call our farm accident lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Farming Tractors: A Mechanical Necessity in Agriculture

Agriculture is a significant source of income in many US states, which means that farm equipment is a common sight on the roads. While most drivers are used to sharing the road with large vehicles, they may not be aware of the dangers posed by farm tractors.

Tractor accidents can be devastating, often causing serious injuries or even death. You should be aware of the common accidents and how a tractor accident can impact you.

You should know the legal course of action if tractor accidents occur.

What Are The Common Types of Tractor Accidents?

Even in today's technologically advanced times, many farms don't have adequate safety measures. Organizations like the National Safety Council advocate for measures that could minimize preventable deaths, ensuring they are virtually eliminated from all industries.

The guidelines are not always implemented in agricultural settings, leading to the deaths of farmers and other people.

For instance, many farmers still use older models of tractors with no roll bars or other modern safety features. In fact, the use of these outdated models results in the most common type of accidents.

According to the US Department of Labor,44% of the accidents on a farm are the result of tractor rollovers. As evident, the number of rollovers and overturn deaths is alarmingly high.

Some common types of tractor equipment accidents that lead to the most number of deaths include:

• Tractor Rollovers/Overturns: Older tractors are particularly susceptible to rollovers and overturn because they do not have rollover protective structures. Thus, rollover is the leading cause of farming accidents involving motor vehicles. If the tractor overturns or the tractor rolls, it can lose balance, leading to farm accidents. This is often due to the fact that they have a higher center of gravity than newer models.
• Poorly Maintained Equipment: All tractors, especially their moving parts, need to be regularly serviced and maintained in order to function properly. Unfortunately, not all tractor operators takes the time to do this, which can lead to deaths and severe harm.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Farm tractors are not easy to operate. It takes time and practice to get used to the size and weight of the vehicle. Unfortunately, many accidents are caused by inexperienced tractor operators who are not properly prepared to operate the equipment, leading to their own death or the deaths of other drivers on the road.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Weather can also be a factor in a tractor accident. Poor visibility or slick roads can make it difficult to operate a tractor, increasing the chances of an accident.

Agriculture is a necessity for every country. But it has occupational risks like any other industry. Farmers must use newer tractors and equipment to eliminate or minimize the risk of deaths and injuries.

Common Tractor Injuries

Over 400 farm workers died due to a work-related injury in 2019. Likewise, many workers are also injured every year while operating tractors.

Tractor accidents often result in severe injuries including:

• Head Injuries: Head injuries are some of the most common tractor-related injuries. A leading cause of these injuries is that tractors do not have seat belts, meaning agricultural workers can be ejected from the vehicle during an accident.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries are also common in tractor accidents. They can result in paralysis or other long-term brain problems.
• Broken Bones: Broken bones are often associated with tractor accidents. The force of the impact can cause serious fractures, which may require surgery to heal properly.

Tractor injuries can often be fatal. That's why the victim of a farm accident must get immediate medical assistance if there's a tractor accident.

If you've been a victim of a tractor injury, whether it was due to faulty farm equipment or human error of the tractor operator, you may be eligible for compensation. You might be able to also claim compensation for lost wages and lifetime disability in case of a serious injury.

What Can You Recover After a Tractor Injury?

If you have been injured in a tractor accident, you may be wondering what kind of compensation you can recover. The answer to this question depends on the specific facts of your case. However, there are some general compensations that apply in most cases:

• Medical Costs: It would include all the ambulance, emergency room, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and other medical treatment costs.
• Lost Income: If you have been injured and cannot work, you may be able to recover lost wages. This includes both past and future lost earnings.
• Pain and Suffering: You may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages of the physical pain and emotional suffering that you have experienced as a result of your accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The loss of ability to participate in activities that you enjoyed prior to the accident may also be compensated.

To learn more, it's best to have a legal team on your side. For instance, if other vehicles were also involved in the accident, you might be able to recover the cost of damages to them too.

The compensation also depends on the extent of the injury and whether external factors like the weather or uneven terrain played a role in the accident. It's best to get a free consultation from a lawyer to understand how to approach your case.

When to Consult a Lawyer

If you or any of your family members have experienced a tractor accident-related injury, schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer to review your legal options. Our personal injury lawyer will take the details of your case into account, guiding you on what to do next.

In a personal injury claim, the damages are the amounts of money that you are claiming from the other party. These can include both medical expenses and property damage, as well as any other losses that you have incurred.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our experienced lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship. Our personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, meaning no upfront fees are paid to our legal teams until your case is resolved.

Resources:

• FOP: Tractor Safety Measures
• NASD: Tractor Crashes Analysis