Farm Equipment On Roadway Accident Lawyer
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There are many areas around Texas that are mixed environments where suburban communities share public roadways with farms in the country. Unfortunately, the combination of passenger vehicles and farm equipment is not always harmonious. There are many farm equipment accidents on public roadways that cause serious injuries and fatalities.
For decades, there have been two specific trends in rural development where farm equipment needing to share roadways with passenger vehicles has created a dangerous combination. This includes housing developments popping up in rural areas, where residential homeowners live close to operating farms. In addition, advancements in agricultural equipment technology has increased the size of farm equipment. This deadly combination has increased congestion on the roadways in rural parts of communities in Texas. |
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The Public Right of Way & Rules of the Road
While it may appear that farm equipment operators sharing the roadways are uncaring over the needs of passenger vehicle motorists and commercial truck drivers, they are required to follow the rules of the road. Oversized farm vehicles driving too fast or automobiles recklessly attempting to pass a slow-moving combine harvester, tractor or other farm machinery places everyone at risk. By not obeying the rules, the equipment operator, trucker or passenger vehicle motorists can cause serious accidents with catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
To make matters worse, most farm equipment accidents on public roadways produce devastating results, where the injured parties are many miles away from the nearest trauma center that are usually located in more urban environments. As a result, there is a significantly higher risk to dying from a serious accident involving passenger vehicles and farm equipment in rural areas. Because of that, it is essential to follow the rules of the road to ensure that everyone remain safe, especially around slow-moving farm equipment.
Unique Challenges of Farming Vehicle Accidents in Texas
We know that farming accidents don’t just hurt people. When farming accidents occur, there are damages to people, equipment, land, property and businesses. Everything must be considered, including:
- Manufacturer error
- Maintenance error
- Failure to train employees
- Improper use of equipment or chemicals
- Inadequate supervision
Causes of Farm Equipment Accidents
Farm equipment traveling public roadways often presents dangerous situations when commercial delivery trucks or passenger automobiles attempt to pass the slow-moving vehicle. The number of fatalities and injuries every year in accidents involving farm equipment and passenger vehicles is on the rise, especially during harvest season. In many cases, there are multiple causes of farm equipment accidents. Common situations that cause farm equipment accidents on public roadways include:
- Equipment transporting wide loads
- Slow-moving tractors, balers and other equipment
- Large farming vehicles stopped on the roadway
- Inexperienced or young passenger vehicle drivers or farm equipment operators
- Driving unsafely or distracted
- Missing vehicle signage, markings and lights
- Poorly maintained vehicles with faulty brakes or defective tires
How is a Commercial Agricultural Vehicle Accident Different?
While some aspects or pursuing a lawsuit involving a commercial agricultural vehicle are the same as a traditional passenger vehicle accident, there are many more factors in an accident involving a farming vehicle. For example, if the farming equipment requires the driver to maintain a commercial driver’s license, there may be state or federal rules that the driver must follow. For example, truck drivers are only allowed to drive a certain number of hours per day. Commercial vehicles also fall under specific guidelines involving:
- Inspections
- Maintenance
- Logging repairs
Filing a Claim for Compensation for Injuries Sustained in an Accident With a Farm Vehicle
If you, or a loved one, are suffering serious injuries after being involved in a farm equipment accident on a public roadway, you are likely able to recover your damages by filing a claim for compensation. However, personal injury cases are complicated and involve complex tort law. Because of that, many victims will hire personal injury lawyers with experience in farm equipment accidents. A skilled legal firm can provide advice on the best options for pursuing an injury claim. The lawyers can determine which parties are at fault, investigate the accident scene, speak to eyewitnesses and develop a strong case for compensation. The lawyer will need to show how the responsible party exhibited reckless, careless or negligent behavior that eventually led to the collision.
Hire the Pascoe Law Firm to Help with Your Farming Equipment Accident Today
The Pascoe Law Firm has assisted victims of personal injury including those harmed in farm equipment accidents occurring on public roadways. Our successful resolutions to claims and suits are the result of proper preparation. Our extensive negotiation skills have helped us settle many claims out-of-court. Our experience at trial litigation has helped us succeed in obtaining maximum compensation for many of our clients. Call us today at 713-829-4317 or visit our main car accident page for more information.
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