Tractors are a necessary piece of farming equipment. Used for everything from pushing and pulling machinery to plowing and plotting land, many farming duties would be impossible without a tractor. As with the operation of any motor vehicle, there is a chance of a damaging personal injury accident occurring present when operating a tractor.
If you or someone you know has sustained a tractor accident injury, reach out to a local personal injury attorney who can guide you through this tough time. Southwest Kansas tractor accident lawyer Joseph T. Welsh has years of experience helping the injured recover fair compensation and can do the same for you.
What are the Most Common Causes of Tractor Accidents?
Tractor accidents account for roughly 130 deaths annually, half of all farm worker fatalities, and an even higher number of injuries. These accidents result from various incidents that often translate to life-changing afflictions. Some of the most common causes of tractor accidents in Kansas include:
- Improper lighting
- Defective machinery
- Design defects
- Traveling up a steep incline
- Improper hitching
- Operator error
- Unsafe driving conditions
- Speeding through turns
In these cases, liability can fall on anyone from the manufacturer to the operator of the tractor. An experienced attorney can help you identify whose negligence led to your injury.
Types of Tractor Accidents
The injuries sustained and possible recovery time is a direct reflection of the kind of accident that occurred. While rollovers are among the most commonly reported accidents, numerous others account for thousands of tractor accident injuries annually. These include:
- Run over accidents
- Falling off of a tractor
- Vehicular collisions
- Entanglement in Power Take-Off (PTO)
- Crushing accidents
To decrease the number of tractor rollover accidents, manufacturers of newer tractors are required to install rollover protective systems (RPS). However, a vast majority of tractors currently in use across the nation were made before the requirement was implemented, making the potential of a fatal rollover accident extremely high.
How a Southwest Kansas Tractor Accident Lawyer Can Help
Those who survive tractor accidents often have a long road ahead of them. A traumatic brain injury, broken bone, or even crushed appendage can all occur from tractor accidents, leaving a farmer hospitalized and out of work for weeks or months. Paying the steep costs of treatment can seem impossible when you are unable to yield a steady income. With an attorney by your side, you may be able to recover compensation for damages associated with the accident.
Attorney Joseph T. Welsh is a Southwest Kansas tractor accident lawyer who can serve as your legal ally throughout your recovery process. No matter the severity of your injuries, the ability to recover compensation from the liable party remains. Contact Joe today at (620) 510-5030 for a free case evaluation.