Although tractor are an essential piece of farm equipment, they can also be dangerous. Modern tractors do not have many safety features that are found in passenger cars because they are not designed for motor vehicle travel. These vehicles are designed for a specific purpose. Anyone who operates a tractor should be aware of the dangers associated with accidents in the agricultural industry and how they can avoid them.
A tractor accident can cause serious injuries to the victim, which could lead to permanent injury or even death. It doesn’t matter if you work in agriculture or on a farm; knowing the risks associated with a tractor accident can help to reduce your exposure to potentially dangerous situations.
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Understanding Tractor Safety
Driving a tractor is quite different to driving a passenger car. Despite having similar mechanical systems, tractor and passenger vehicles work in completely different ways. These key differences are essential to understand before you attempt to operate a tractor.
Although they may be smaller than other passenger vehicles, tractor are very heavy. Tractors also have larger wheels, and are less maneuverable than other vehicles. The tractor’s center gravity is different than a standard vehicle. This can make it more vulnerable to unexpected shifts in momentum or instability due to uneven ground.
Before operating a tractor, tractor operators must carefully read the tractor’s manual. It is also a good idea to conduct a pre-operation safety inspection before you use any tractor. To reduce the chance of an accident, it is important to have proper safety training and experience.
Rollover Accidents
A rollover accident is the most serious type of tractor accident that a person could experience. This type of accident happens when the tractor flips on its side. This could be caused by sudden changes in the terrain, such as a sudden turn too sharply or a failure to navigate safely on sloping terrain.
The operator and all those who are near the tractor are at greatest risk of being injured if there is a tractor rollover accident. Modern tractors have rollover safety features such as seatbelts and rollover protection structures, but these features don’t always guarantee that a tractor accident will not cause serious injuries.
Rollover accidents can result in severe injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury. From the tractor’s impact with the ground, the operator may sustain a serious head injury. Mild symptoms may subside in a few weeks. More severe injuries will require immediate medical attention to save the victim’s life. Traumatic brain injuries can result in permanent cognitive impairment, motor function impairment, sensory processing difficulties, and difficulty processing language. Traumatic brain injury victims often experience severe headaches, migraines, confusion, loss or spatial awareness, among other disruptive symptoms, which can last for many months, if not years.
- Spinal injuries. The signals that travel from the brain to the rest of the body are carried by the spinal cord, which extends from the brain via the spinal column. A spinal injury can result in permanent loss of sensation and motor function to various parts of the body. Spinal injuries can be caused by a tractor operator falling from the tractor in a rollover accident, or when the tractor is thrown onto someone else. Spinal injuries can cause loss of sensation, motor function loss, or both.
- Crushing injuries. Although tractor sizes vary, any tractor can cause severe crushing injuries if it is placed on top of someone. Broken bones and possibly amputation may be possible from crushing injuries. These injuries are among the most severe and can lead to permanent medical complications.
- Lacerations. Broken glass, twisted metal or damaged plastic can cause deep cuts. Deep cuts can result in nerve damage, which can sometimes lead to permanent impairment of the victim’s ability and ability to work.
- Electrocutions. Attached equipment to tractor has electrical currents running between it and the attached machinery. Contact with any tractor’s power takeoff system can cause severe injuries and even electric shock. The consequences of electrocution can prove fatal. Even if victims survive, they may suffer nerve damage, burns, or even heart impairment.
- Broken bones. Broken bones can result from a tractor rollover accident. While some bone fractures can take a few months to heal, others may need longer. A compound fracture, for example, that causes severe skin damage will require surgery and could lead to infection.
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Fire and chemical injures Failures
Tractors are used for a purpose and play a vital role in modern agriculture. The United States has strict regulations regarding tractor use. Any tractor owner who uses his tractor for work purposes must be able to comprehend and adhere to all applicable regulations. Farmers do everything they can to ensure that their farm equipment is safe and functional. It is difficult to replace tractor as often as people replace their cars. Tractors can be quite costly.
An older tractor may not have the safety features of newer tractors. An older tractor might not have the rollover protection mechanisms or other safety features that modern tractors have. Older tractors are more likely to cause serious accidents than older tractors. Older tractor owners and operators must be aware of these dangers and take the necessary precautions to avoid injuries and fatal accidents due to outdated tractors’ inability to provide safety features. There is also a greater chance of mechanical failures.
Injuries to the Power Takeoff
The power takeoff is an electrical system that connects a tractor with another piece of equipment such as a backhoe or rotary tiller. These pieces of equipment are crucial for harvesting crops or preparing the soil for planting. Operators of tractor equipment must be familiar with the power takeoff system and how to avoid serious injury.
A majority of tractor models will have a power-takeoff stub. This rotates at high speeds while the tractor provides power to the attached equipment. If the rotating shaft becomes intertwined with the power takeoff system, it can lead to serious injuries. Farm workers should be comfortable in their clothing, and long hair should be tucked under a hat. The most vulnerable to power takeoff injuries are clothes and hair. A person could sustain severe injuries to their body if they become trapped in a power-takeoff structure. These injuries may cause permanent disabilities.
A power takeoff system can also pose a risk of electric shock. Even experienced tractor operators can experience electric shocks, even if an issue is not apparent with the power takeoff system. If the power transfer shaft is not covered, a tractor operator shouldn’t use it. It is crucial to replace or repair the protective tube around the power transfer shaft if it breaks or becomes loose before you continue using the equipment.
Accidents resulting from equipment attached to a tractor
When a tractor is equipped with another piece of equipment, the power transfer system can be a potential source of serious injury. Attached equipment should not be in direct contact with the tractor operator or anyone else working on the tractor. Attachments to tractor tractors can cause serious injuries due to their sharp blades, moving parts and heavy fixtures. If you don’t have a good understanding of how the attachment works and how to safely use it, you shouldn’t attempt to drive a tractor with one attached to it.
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What are your legal options after a tractor accident?
It is crucial that you take immediate action if you or someone you love sustains injuries from a tractor accident. Workers’ compensation claims are the most common avenue for compensation available to victims of tractor accidents. Workers’ compensation allows any worker who is injured at work to file for a claim and receive medical treatment. If a workplace injury results in the victim being unable to work, the workers’ compensation system may provide benefits. They may also receive weekly benefits from the workers’ comp system until they are fully healed and able to return work.
Workers’ compensation is notoriously complex. This can make it difficult for injured workers to navigate the system while dealing with the aftermath. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate this process. An attorney can assist you in filing your initial claim and addressing any possible resistance from the state workers’ comp board. They will also handle any retaliation from your employer.
Workers’ compensation benefits might not be sufficient to compensate victims of tractor accidents. It is important for victims to speak with their attorney to determine if negligence caused or contributed to their accident. You can file a civil lawsuit against the person responsible for the tractor accident to recover damages.
Take Legal Action for a Tractor Injury
A tractor accident victim may have multiple legal options depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of their injuries. The victim of a tractor accident should make their own health and safety their first priority. Even if their injuries seem minor, it is important that they seek immediate medical attention. Failing to seek immediate treatment could easily make it difficult for a worker’s compensation claim or civil lawsuit against the negligent party. If the victim does not seek immediate medical attention, the court will most likely conclude that their injuries are not as severe as they claim.
Although workers’ compensation is often the first option to recover from the financial consequences of a tractor accident injury, it might not be the only one. An experienced attorney will help their client file a workers’ compensation claim. They can also determine if further legal action is required to complete the recovery.
- A tractor accident victim can sue another party for personal injury if they were negligent in causing their accident. If a tractor operator drove a tractor while under the influence of alcohol, and ran over the victim’s head, it is clear that this was negligence. In addition to being subject to criminal prosecution, the offender could lose their job and be held liable for civil damages.
- The manufacturer of defective equipment may be held responsible for any injuries sustained by the victim in the event of a tractor accident. A product liability claim must be filed by the victim proving that defective equipment caused their tractor accident.
- The victim can sue the responsible party for any damages if the tractor’s owner or victim’s supervisor made them operate an unsafe tractor, or unsafely.
- A tractor accident can result in a death. The victim’s family may work with a wrongful death lawyer to determine who is responsible. Wrongful Death claims can involve many of same legal processes as personal injury claims. However, there are specific legal statutes that govern wrongful death claims made in response to workplace fatalities.
It is vital that any tractor accident victim prepares to file a workers’ comp claim. However, this is only one part of their recovery process.
What can an attorney do to help?
Tractor accidents can result in severe, or even fatal injuries. Victims must be aware of their legal rights to ensure maximum compensation. An experienced attorney can help clients narrow down the best options for legal recourse. They will guide them through the initial workers’ compensation claim process and help them explore all of their options for recovery.
An experienced attorney can assist their victim with the legal requirements of their case and connect them to valuable support services after serious injuries. This will help maximize their recovery. Your attorney can help you identify compensation channels that you might not have known about and gather the documentation and evidence necessary to increase the amount you receive from each channel.
The victim should seek legal representation as soon after a tractor accident as possible to ensure that they are able to navigate the complicated legal proceedings. This includes both the worker’s comp system and any further legal actions recommended by their attorney. Contact an experienced attorney if you have been in a tractor accident or are concerned about how to proceed.
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