Tractor Accidents

Tractor Accidents & Injuries

Tractors are essential to farm work, but they're also involved in a disproportionate share of agricultural injuries and deaths, most often from rollovers, falls, and entanglement with moving parts.

Our attorneys know how to investigate whether the tractor met required safety standards, whether the operator was properly trained, and who should be held responsible for what happened.

Tractor Accidents Lawyer

50% of farm-related accidents and injuries involve tractors, making them a leading cause of death and catastrophic injuries in the agriculture industry. Rollover accidents have the highest fatality rate of all tractor-related accidents in the United States.

According to one study, over 75% of tractor accident injuries require antibiotic treatment (to prevent infection) or surgery. Research suggests that most of these incidents are caused by human negligence.

One study, conducted over a seven-year period, estimated that rollover accidents contributed to 45% of tractor-related deaths.

Injured in a tractor accident? Contact The Daspit Law Firm today.

Tractor overturns and other accidents are a serious threat to the safety of farmers. Although tractor safety standards have improved over time, human negligence and mishandling are still responsible for many accidents and deaths.

One study indicated that, over a period of seven years, 1,100 people died in tractor rollover accidents.

Other fatal tractor accidents include:

• Falling from Tractors: 13%
• Run-Over Accidents: 12%
• Crush Injuries: 10%
• Entanglement Accidents: 5%
• Uncategorized Tractor Accidents: 15%

Tractor Accidents Are Preventable

Rollover accidents are preventable. Since 1976, the Department of Labor required that all tractors conform to ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) Standards, but a high percentage of tractor accident deaths are still caused by overturns.

In addition to ROPS standards, employees who operate tractors must receive safety training.

This training includes the following information:

• Employees must wear a seatbelt when operating an ROPS-equipped tractor
• Always set the brakes securely when the tractor is stopped
• Only hitch the tractor to recommended hitch-points on the drawbar
• Employees should never allow guests to ride the tractor
• Avoid steep slopes
• Avoid driving near ditches
• Drive cautiously
• Avoid driving over stumps
• Never drive at an unsafe speed

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation reports that ROPS structures are not designed to prevent rollover accidents. Employees must act responsibly while operating heavy machinery.

Additionally, employers should never allow an employee to operate a tractor that does not conform to safety standards, or permit an employee to operate a vehicle without safety training, which can itself amount to an OSHA violation.

Tractor Accidents & Children

Studies show that children have the highest rate of machinery-related deaths. Most of these deaths are caused by the following situations:

• The child is struck by the machinery
• The child is a passenger on the machinery

Tractors are not designed for passengers; they are designed with safety features to protect one person: the driver. If a negligent driver allows a child to ride the tractor, the driver could be held responsible for any injuries suffered by the passenger.

Lawyer for Tractor & Farming Accidents

Irresponsible driving is a contributing factor to some rollover accidents, but even a safe driver can suffer serious injuries in a tractor accident.

If you or someone you love suffered a serious injury in a tractor rollover for the following reasons, you could be eligible for financial compensation:

• The tractor did not conform to ROPS Standards
• The employee was not properly trained by the employer
• The tractor was defectively designed / manufactured

To learn more about your rights after a serious tractor accident, contact the trusted personal injury team at The Daspit Law Firm. Attorney John Daspit is a seasoned legal professional with the passion, knowledge, and skill to help you obtain the case outcome that you deserve.

FAQS Regarding Tractor Accidents

What causes most tractor accidents?

Rollovers are the leading cause of tractor-related deaths, often caused by operating on steep slopes, near ditches, or at unsafe speeds.

Other common causes include falls from the tractor, run-over accidents, crush injuries, and entanglement in moving parts. Human error and inadequate safety training contribute to many of these accidents.

What is a ROPS, and why does it matter for my case?

ROPS stands for Rollover Protective Structure, a safety feature required on tractors since 1976 to reduce injury and death in a rollover.

If a tractor lacked a required ROPS, wasn't properly maintained, or the operator wasn't given a seatbelt to use with it, that can be strong evidence of negligence or a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Who can be held liable for a tractor accident on a farm?

Liability can fall on the employer if they failed to provide required safety training, allowed an employee to operate a tractor that didn't meet safety standards, or permitted an unsafe practice like carrying passengers.

The manufacturer may also be liable if the tractor was defectively designed or missing required safety equipment.

What compensation can I recover after a tractor accident?

You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, along with noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and permanent disability.

If a loved one was killed in a tractor rollover or other farm accident, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.

How long do I have to file a tractor accident claim in Texas?

Generally two years from the date of the accident, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. If the accident involved a non-subscriber employer or a defective tractor part, additional evidence such as maintenance and training records should be preserved as early as possible.

Speak With a Tractor Accident Lawyer Today

To find out more about your rights after a serious tractor accident, contact the trusted personal injury team at The Daspit Law Firm. Attorney John Daspit is a seasoned legal professional with the passion, knowledge, and skill to help you obtain the case outcome that you deserve.

For a free, no-obligation case evaluation, call our office at (888) 273-1045 or submit our online contact form!