Many people have been involved in car accidents, truck accidents, or even bus accidents. Fewer have experienced an accident with farm equipment, yet they happen every day across the country. Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Keep reading to get the facts and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you are in need of a free legal consultation.
It is Legal for Tractors and Other Farm Equipment to Use Public Roads
One thing that is important to realize is that it is legal for tractors and other pieces of farm equipment to use public roadways. While there are local laws that may be more specific, you can generally assume that unless the vehicle was on a freeway, they were within their rights.
How Many Accidents Occur Each Year Between Vehicles and Farm Equipment?
It is not surprising to learn that the majority of accidents involving vehicles and farm equipment occur in the Midwest. In fact, there were about 7,000 such crashes during a five-year period that was studied. While it would stand to reason that most if not all of the accidents are in rural areas, 70% were but a full 30% happened in urban areas.
This shows that it is not just an issue in small towns and rural regions. Tractors and other types of farm equipment need maintenance and repairs, and the easiest way to get them to the places they need is to simply drive them.
Slower Vehicles Make Up a Serious Hazard
A person who is on a tractor or other type of motorized farm equipment is very vulnerable to injury or even death. These machines do not have the modern safety equipment you see on cars. Many have seatbelts but they are not always used. Crushing injuries are almost guaranteed if the tractor rolls.
Farm equipment is also wider than the average single lane, which means that a car traveling a safe speed around a bend could be involved in a head-on injury with a tractor. During sunrise or after sunset, a farm vehicle that is not well lit may not be easily visible. This is one of the reasons that state laws involving farm equipment and safety protocols often forbid it to be used on public roads when there is no natural sunlight.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney if You Are Injured in an Accident with a Piece of Farm Equipment
It really is simple: If you are involved in an accident with a piece of farm equipment then your next call should be to The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000. These cases are very similar to car accidents in many ways and you do have rights. Call now for a free legal case evaluation.
