From plowing, tilling and planting to bringing in the final harvest, tractors are agricultural workhorses capable of handling some of the most important jobs on Minnesota farms.
Unfortunately, these powerful, oversized vehicles can easily cause injury or death to operators or others in the vicinity. Additionally, when tractors have to share the road with other types of traffic, both operators and other drivers may be at higher risk of a collision. When this happens, one or more parties may be liable for damages caused.
Motor vehicle accidents
In some cases, tractors must travel along local roads, often moving much more slowly than other vehicles and hauling heavy, extra-wide equipment. While Minnesota law requires slow-moving vehicles to use lights, flashers and warning emblems when traveling on public roads, tractor operator error or negligence on the part of other drivers may easily result in an accident. Depending on who was at fault, either the operator or a driver of another vehicle may be responsible for compensating the other.
Farm accidents
Poor maintenance practices, defective equipment or operator error may result in rollover accidents, entanglement in machinery or other dangers for tractor drivers, other farmworkers and even visitors from the public. Tractor operators who experience an injury on the job may be able to receive both workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury compensation if a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer, contributed to the accident.
Whether in the fields or navigating traffic, tractor accidents can easily cause catastrophic injuries. Those injured and their families should know that the law may entitle them to needed compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and more.
