In Indiana, it's not unusual to find yourself driving behind a slow-moving tractor or combine. Agriculture is part of daily life here, and during planting and harvest seasons, farm machinery frequently shares the road with passenger vehicles. While most of the time, everyone gets where they’re going safely, sometimes things go wrong—and the results can be serious.
At Schafer & Schafer LLP, we help individuals and families recover compensation after accidents involving farm equipment. These cases are more complex than typical car accidents and often require a deep understanding of both agricultural operations and Indiana traffic laws. Here’s what you should know if you or someone you love was hurt in a crash involving farm machinery.
Farm equipment is large, heavy, and not designed for highway speeds. When this machinery ends up on public roads, particularly rural two-lane highways, the risk of serious accidents increases.
Some of the most common contributing factors include:
These vehicles are also not always equipped with modern safety features like turn signals or brake lights. Even when they are, poor lighting or weather can make those features hard to see.
Indiana law allows farm equipment to operate on public roads under certain conditions. Operators must follow general traffic laws, but there are exceptions due to the nature of the equipment.
Some relevant rules include:
Unfortunately, not every operator follows these rules. When safety guidelines aren’t met, or when drivers of passenger vehicles misjudge the speed or direction of farm equipment, the result can be a serious collision.
Farm-related road accidents in Indiana can happen in a number of ways. Here are a few common scenarios our firm has seen in recent years:
If you've been in a crash involving farm machinery, your first priority is your health and safety. Seek medical care immediately—even if you don’t feel injured right away. Some conditions may not show symptoms until hours or days later.
Next, take steps to protect your legal rights:
These accidents often involve questions of negligence, safety compliance, and insurance coverage that go beyond the average traffic collision. Farm equipment might be owned by a private farmer, a commercial grower, or even leased through a third party—each scenario brings its own legal considerations.
Our attorneys at Schafer & Schafer LLP have extensive experience handling vehicle accidents involving farm equipment. We know Indiana’s traffic and agricultural laws inside and out. When you work with us, we will:
These aren’t simple claims. But with the right legal strategy, you can hold negligent parties accountable and focus on healing.
If you were injured in an accident involving farm equipment in Indiana, don’t try to navigate the legal system alone. These cases require a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and advocacy. At Schafer & Schafer LLP, we’ve spent decades helping Hoosiers just like you get back on their feet.
Reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll walk you through your legal options and help you decide the best path forward.
If you’ve been injured and want to know if you have a case, contact us for help.
If you’ve been injured and want to know if you have a case, contact us for help.