Large, powerful tractors can inflict severe injuries when there is an accident. Even mishaps with small garden tractors used to mow lawns can be devastating. If you have been injured in a tractor accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation.
You may have serious injuries and mounting medical expenses. You may be unable to attend work because of the severity of your injuries, and your family may be hurting. You need someone on your side who knows the law. An Anderson tractor accident lawyer can help.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, our Anderson personal injury lawyers have recovered over $25 million in awards and settlements for injured clients like you. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Types of Tractor Accidents
While tractor accidents can occur in many ways, there are a few common incidents that lead to injuries. No matter how your tractor accident happened, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible so you understand your rights.
Rollovers
Rollovers and tip-overs are the most common types of tractor accidents. They can happen when a tractor encounters uneven ground—such as near a ditch or steep hill—due to an unsafe road or terrain or when the tractor operator turns at unsafe speeds.
Rollovers can happen with both large farm tractors and smaller riding mowers. While big tractors can cause the most damage, severe injuries can occur when homeowners tip or roll their lawn tractors as well.
Runovers
Tractors can run over people when they come too close while the tractor is in operation or if the tractor operator is unaware of their presence. Runovers can result in massive internal injuries, broken bones, and death.
Sometimes, the tractor driver themself may be a victim of a runover. This happens when they are dislodged from their seat and fall to the ground. Safety mechanisms such as seat belts and power cutoffs that engage when weight is removed from the driver’s seat can help.
Entanglements
Horrible injuries occur when fingers, hands, feet, or loose clothing become entangled in moving tractor parts or associated machinery. On farms, following proper safety protocols and adhering to manufacturer directions can help prevent such disasters.
Lawn tractors can inflict these types of injuries when careless operators come into contact with moving cutting blades.
Collisions
Modern farm tractors operate at slow speeds, but they can move fast enough to cause extensive damage if they collide with other machinery, buildings, or natural obstacles. In some areas, tractors travel on roadways, putting them at risk of crashes with cars.
Even small lawn tractors can cause damage and injury when they are involved in collisions. Careless operators may crash into obstacles in their lawns or work areas, and in some cases, lawn tractors may be struck by motor vehicles when they enter roadways.
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Who Is Liable in a Tractor Accident?
Discovering who is responsible for a tractor accident can be complicated. This is one of the most important reasons to contact a tractor accident lawyer in Anderson. Your attorney can review the circumstances of your accident and identify the at-fault parties.
These may include the:
- Tractor operator: The tractor driver is often responsible for the accident when they behave recklessly, but this isn’t always the case.
- Manufacturer: Defective or faulty equipment can point to the manufacturer as the liable party in some tractor accidents.
- Employer: When the tractor operator is an employee, the employer may be to blame for the crash in cases of unsafe working conditions.
- Maintenance company: If a third-party company maintains and services the tractor, they may be responsible if the accident occurs due to foreseeable wear or breakdowns.
- Motor vehicle driver: In cases of tractor collisions with cars, the car driver can be liable if they acted recklessly. Your case may hinge on Indiana’s laws for determining fault in a car accident.
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How Much Is a Tractor Accident Case Worth?
While it is impossible to suggest when a personal injury case may be worth it without a thorough review, your Anderson tractor accident attorney may consider the following when assessing your fair compensation amount.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are easy to quantify because they come with a specific dollar amount. For example, if you went to a doctor’s appointment, you would receive a bill telling you what you owe. Economic damages include things like
- Your medical expenses
- Your future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Your ability to earn a living in the future
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are tougher to assign a dollar amount as they deal with the psychological and emotional issues associated with your injury. They are not always available, and your attorney can advise you if they apply to your case. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
A court awards punitive damages on rare occasions. The purpose is to punish the defendant for their actions and dissuade them from committing similar acts in the future. Punitive damages typically only apply when the defendant has acted illegally, with extreme recklessness or negligence.
An example of how punitive damages might apply to a tractor accident case is when an employer has a documented history of creating an extremely unsafe work environment and pushing their employees to operate in dangerous conditions.
Contact a Tractor Accident Lawyer in Anderson
It is hard to imagine where we would be without tractors. Farms would be far less productive and struggle to meet the needs of a growing world population. Homeowners would take much longer to tend to their lawns and carry out chores.
However, tractors can also be dangerous, and strict safety protocols are required. If you are recovering from an injury after a tractor accident, you know this all too well. An Anderson tractor accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to start the healing process.
Our attorneys and staff at Vaughan & Vaughan are here to get you through this difficult time. Since 1913, our firm has fought for the rights of accident victims in Indiana. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
