Farms are an important part of our economy and food production, and large, powerful tractors are integral to farming. Small lawn tractors help owners tend to their properties faster and more easily. Tractors are everywhere, and with them comes the possibility of accidents and injury.
If you have been injured in a tractor accident, you know how much damage they can cause in the wrong circumstances. You may have suffered serious injuries, or you may be facing permanent physical damage. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation.
A Kokomo tractor accident lawyer can help you get the money you need to recover. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our Kokomo personal injury lawyers have recovered over $25 million in settlements and awards for injured victims. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Take a Settlement After a Tractor Accident?
In most situations, it is not smart to take the initial settlement offered by an insurance company without first speaking with an attorney. Your lawyer will know how to assess your damages and calculate what your case is actually worth.
Insurance companies know this as well, but they aren’t typically operating in your best interest. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible and put the event behind them, and that could mean offering you a settlement much lower than you need.
Accepting their settlement usually means you waive your rights to future compensation. That’s a bad deal. Instead, let us talk to the insurance company for you and negotiate a settlement that will make a difference in your life.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Common Causes of Tractor Accidents
Like car and truck accidents, tractor accidents can happen in infinite ways for a wide range of reasons. Understanding the cause of the accident will help your Kokomo tractor accident attorney assess who is liable for your injuries.
Some of the common causes of tractor accidents include:
- Operator error: Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers can make mistakes that cause rollovers or serious accidents. Homeowners may underestimate the power of their machines or make poor choices that lead to injuries.
- Mechanical failures: When brakes, tires, or other mechanical systems fail, the tractor manufacturer may be liable if the tractor or its parts are deemed defective.
- Poor maintenance: Tractors are meant for tough environments and require regular maintenance to keep them in safe working condition. When bad maintenance practice leads to accidents and injury, the company or individual responsible for upkeep may be liable.
- Dangerous weather: Rain, ice, snow, and fog increase the need for safety and awareness. Tractor operators who ignore dangerous conditions risk accidents.
- Fatigue: Tired or overworked tractor operators are more prone to accidents. If they are employees, their employer may be liable.
- Inadequate training: Poor training can lead to accidents and injuries, as operators who don’t understand how their machines work can put themselves in dangerous situations.
- Improper loads: Overloaded trailers and other equipment can cause a tractor to tip or roll while turning or traveling on inclines.
There is no fee
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How a Tractor Accident Lawyer Can Help
Tractor accidents can be complicated, and sometimes, it is difficult to determine who was at fault. The assistance of a skilled attorney can help you figure things out and decide how to proceed. While every case is different, some of the things we can do for you include:
Offer Advice
During your initial consultation, we will listen to your story and have many questions. We hope you have some questions for us as well. We must learn as much as we can about your accident so we can give you our best advice.
If you have a case, and if we agree to work together, we want you to understand your rights and how we intend to proceed.
Investigate Your Claim
We will investigate your accident to understand exactly what happened. We may review police reports, interview witnesses, or visit the accident scene. Once we understand how the accident played out, we can begin to develop our strategy.
We also want to identify the responsible parties and determine liability. Then, we can file for compensation on your behalf.
Assess Your Damages
We will want to get a clear idea of your economic hardships that resulted from the accident. This will include expenses related to doctor’s appointments, emergency room visits, physical therapy sessions, and other medical costs.
We’ll also account for lost wages and any diminished ability to earn a living. If your tractor or vehicle was damaged in the accident, we may include property damages. In some cases, we can include non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Once we have a solid assessment of your total damages, your tractor accident lawyer in Kokomo will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. You don’t need to deal with them at all if you don’t want to. In fact, sometimes it’s best if you don’t.
Some insurance companies may use manipulative techniques to call the extent of your injuries into question or muddy the waters for your claim. We know their tactics, and we are prepared to deal with them.
Represent You in Court
We prefer to settle your compensation claim at the negotiating table. It is usually better for all parties, and it means much less stress for you. You’ve already been through enough.
However, if we can’t get you the settlement you need through negotiations, we will take it a step further. We can explain the process for filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
Reach Out to a Tractor Accident Lawyer in Kokomo
When you are injured in an accident, it can seem like there is no hope. Mounting medical bills, lost work hours, pain and suffering for you and your family, and the hardship of your injuries can be overwhelming. You need an ally to help you through this difficult time.
A Kokomo tractor accident attorney can help you understand your rights and choose the best course of action. We can also negotiate with insurance companies and work to get you the compensation you need.
You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Our attorneys and staff are here to help. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our firm has served Indiana citizens like you since 1913. Contact us today and find out what we can do for you.
