Tractor Accidents

 

Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Each year, more than 120,000 people are injured in farming accidents, and over 1,300 of these accidents are fatal. More than half of all fatal farm accidents involve tractors.

Preventable Tragedies

Many of the tragic fatalities caused by tractor accidents could have been prevented either by stricter safety measures on the part of the manufacturer or by tractor operators exercising greater caution.

Tractor rollovers are the most common type of tractor accident, accounting for approximately 45% of all fatal accidents. Other common tractor accident fatalities are caused by:

  • Falling off of the tractor (13%)
  • Run-over accidents (12%)
  • Getting crushed by/in the tractor (10%)
  • Entanglement (5%)

Many of these deaths could have been prevented by seat belts, roll bars, and protective cabins. As a result, the U.S. Department of Labor has instituted the Roll-Over Protective Structure Standard (ROPS Standard) to improve tractor safety. All tractors must now contain rollover protective structures, and tractor drivers are required to receive higher levels of training before driving tractors.

Causes of Tractor Accidents

Some common causes of rollover tractor accidents include:

  • Poor hitching
  • Traveling up an incline that is too steep for the tractor to handle
  • Improper ballasting
  • Driving too close to a ditch
  • Holes in fields
  • Excessive speed during turns

 

How Can We Help

Common causes of runover tractor accidents include:

  • Bypass starting
  • An extra rider in the tractor
  • A bystander who is not noticed by the driver

The Cochran Firm Can Help

Injuries sustained in tractor accidents are often very severe and in extreme cases lead to death. Victims frequently experience psychological trauma as well as physical injuries, and the financial burden caused by these accidents can be great.

Understandably, these financial burdens may not be your primary concern while recovering from your injuries. However, while you are preoccupied with doctors' appointments and medical treatment, your employer's insurance company is most likely formulating a strategy to limit their liability in your tractor accident.

Most insurance companies have an arsenal of high-powered lawyers who are highly skilled at finding loopholes that will prevent you from receiving the proper settlement for your personal injuries. Often these insurance companies and their lawyers may try to bully you into signing a settlement offer that is far less than you rightfully deserve.

It is important that you hire a lawyer who is experienced in tractor accident litigation in order to make sure that you receive a fair settlement for your injuries. At The Cochran Firm, we have the skills, knowledge and resources needed to take on large insurance companies and their attorneys. When you are up against powerful insurance attorneys, it is crucial to match them with powerful representation of your own.

If you have been injured in a tractor accident, please contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at The Cochran Firm today to schedule a consultation. We have offices all across the nation.