In rural Ohio, it’s common to share the road with tractors hauling hay, combines moving between cornfields, or sprayers heading out before sunrise. Most days, everyone passes safely. But when a piece of heavy equipment appears around a blind curve or crosses unexpectedly into traffic, the result can be a devastating crash.
From 2014 to 2023, Ohio recorded three roadway fatalities involving farm trucks, and 16% of tractor deaths occurred in roadway collisions. If you were injured in one of these accidents, the aftermath can leave you facing high medical bills, insurance questions, and uncertainty about who’s responsible.
Here’s what you need to know about liability, compensation, and how an experienced car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights.
Determining Who’s Responsible in a Farm Vehicle Collision
Crashes involving agricultural vehicles raise unique questions about fault. They’re governed by different regulations than standard vehicles, and liability often depends on whether those rules were followed.
Common issues include:
- Lawful Operation on the Road: Statute §4511.051 prohibits operating agricultural machinery on freeways or other limited-access highways. If a farm operator drives the vehicle on a restricted roadway and causes a crash, they may be liable for resulting injuries.
- Lighting and Signage: Ohio law requires slow-moving vehicles to display a reflective orange triangle and use working lights after sunset. Without them, other drivers may not see the equipment or have time to react safely.
- Operator Negligence: Even when farm machinery is on the road legally, the operator must signal, check traffic, and stay within their lane. Unsafe turns or failure to yield can make the driver liable for a crash.
- Poor Maintenance: Faulty brakes, steering, or lighting can cause serious accidents. When equipment isn’t properly maintained, both the owner and the manufacturer may share responsibility.
Identifying who’s responsible is the first step in pursuing a claim; the next involves determining what insurance coverage may apply.
Familiar Sources of Compensation in Farm Vehicle Accidents
Agricultural vehicle crashes may involve multiple insurance policies and multiple parties seeking to avoid liability. If you’re hurt in a collision, you may be able to seek compensation from the following parties:
| Source of Compensation | What It Covers | When It Applies |
| Farm Owner’s Insurance | Covers injuries, vehicle damage, and liability for workers or equipment used in farm operations. | This coverage applies to accidents involving tractors or machinery owned, maintained, or used in an active farm business. |
| Operator’s Auto Policy | Pays for medical expenses and property damage caused by the individual driver. | May apply if the operator carries a personal auto policy and was using the equipment outside their normal farm duties. |
| Your UM/UIM Coverage | Provides compensation when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your losses. | Typically used after the other driver’s insurance is exhausted or doesn’t exist, allowing you to recover through your own policy. |
| Manufacturer or Dealer | Covers injuries and damage caused by defective equipment, such as brake, steering, or lighting failures. | Used when a mechanical defect or design flaw contributed to the crash and the product remains under the manufacturer’s responsibility. |
| Commercial Liability Policy | Extends coverage to farm businesses for employee actions, leased vehicles, or equipment use. | Can apply to farms operating as formal business entities or those carrying broader commercial insurance. |
A skilled car accident attorney can identify every available source of compensation and pursue the maximum recovery on your behalf.
Building Your Case With the Right Evidence
Evidence is the backbone of any successful claim. Agricultural crashes often happen on rural roads without cameras, so it’s vital to document everything.
To protect your case:
- Request a copy of the police report for official findings on fault and road conditions.
- Collect witness statements from anyone who saw the crash or the vehicle’s condition.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, and visible injuries before repairs or cleanup.
- Seek prompt medical treatment to connect your injuries to the collision.
- Call a qualified lawyer who can act quickly to protect evidence through preservation requests.
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our team helps clients gather and organize these materials, coordinate experts, and communicate with insurers to build the strongest possible claim.
Seek Maximum Recovery After Agricultural Vehicle Crash
Collisions involving farm equipment require a lawyer who understands more than auto insurance. These cases involve agricultural law, machinery regulations, and liability rules that many firms overlook.
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, our car accident lawyers have experience handling roadway and agricultural crashes. We investigate every angle, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue full damages for your medical costs, lost income, and long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a tractor or other agricultural vehicle, contact our team today for a free consultation. We’ll help you explore every option to pursue the compensation you deserve.
