They’re a crucial piece of equipment on every farm, but is a tractor really safe? The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports tractor accidents are the number one cause of deaths and severe injuries on farms, with the majority of incidents falling into a few common categories.
Overturns: The Leading Tractor Accidents
According to the National Agricultural Tractor Safety Initiative, overturns contribute to more than half of all tractor-related deaths, at an annual rate of approximately 130 fatalities. Rollover protection systems, or ROPS, could prevent many of these deaths, but they estimate 50 percent of the 4.8 million tractors in the country do not have them installed. The problem is so serious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have even developed programs to help increase ROPS-adoption rates across the country.
Tractor Runovers and Entanglements
Every year, about 60 tractor operators are run over by their own vehicles or attached equipment after falling from the cab of a moving tractor. Even more tragically, about 90 percent of all deaths resulting from a passenger falling from a tractor and being subsequently run over are children under the age of 15. Many of these accidents could also be prevented with ROPS and seatbelt usage.
Entanglements are also relatively common, either in power take-off (PTO) drivelines or attached machines. Many of these can be prevented by shielding moving parts, but few owners keep the shields attached and in good working order.
Traffic Collisions
The National Agricultural Tractor Safety Initiative also reports collisions as a major cause of tractor accidents resulting in fatalities, either with trains or automobiles, concluding that a tendency of drivers on rural roads to exceed speed limits and exhibit impatience to pass farm equipment often contribute to traffic accidents involving tractors. In such cases, tractor operators are often powerless to prevent the collision.
Managing the Aftermath of Tractor Accidents
Because accidents involving tractors so often cause traumatic bodily injury and can have such devastating consequences, they can be difficult to navigate. When you or a loved one are injured in a tractor accident, getting the necessary treatment is the first and most important task. The next should be securing legal representation, whether you think you’re at fault for the accident or not. The way many tractors are designed make them inherently dangerous, and, sometimes, every safety precaution just isn’t enough. If there’s a chance you could be entitled to compensation, it’s important to at least get the opinion of an experienced attorney.
Don’t let mounting bills make a difficult time even more complicated when you might be able to recover some of your expenses. At the Maison Law Firm, Martin Gasparian understands the unique needs of agricultural workers and their families impacted by tractor accidents. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
