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Featured / 7.31.2025

What to Know If You Were Injured by Farm Equipment on Indiana Roads

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    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.

    Why Farm Equipment Accidents Are So Dangerous

    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:

    • Limited visibility due to size and shape of the equipment
    • Slow speeds, often under 25 mph, which lead to rear-end collisions
    • Unexpected wide turns without proper signaling
    • Narrow rural roads that leave little room for passing safely

    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 Laws on Farm Equipment and Road Use

    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:

    • Farm vehicles may legally take up more than one lane if necessary
    • If three or more vehicles are lined up behind, the equipment operator must pull over at the next safe spot
    • Operators must use proper signage, such as slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems
    • Turn signals or hand signals should be used before making a turn

    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.

    Common Types of Farm Equipment Road Accidents

    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:

    • Left-turn collisions: A tractor may swing wide to make a turn, leading other drivers to believe it’s pulling over. When a car tries to pass on the left and the equipment turns at the same time, it can cause a devastating crash.
    • Rear-end accidents: A car approaches too fast or doesn't see the slow-moving vehicle until it’s too late to stop.
    • Passing accidents: Attempting to pass large equipment on narrow rural roads or in no-passing zones often results in sideswipe collisions or head-on crashes.
    • Visibility-related crashes: Fog, dusk, or nighttime conditions make it difficult to see equipment, especially if it lacks reflective tape or working lights.

    What To Do After a Farm Equipment Accident

    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:

    • Get contact and insurance information from the farm equipment operator, if possible
    • Take photos of the scene, including road signs, damage, and weather conditions
    • Talk to witnesses and collect their contact information
    • Avoid making any statements about fault
    • Call an experienced personal injury attorney

    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.

    How Schafer & Schafer LLP Can Help

    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:

    • Investigate the accident thoroughly
    • Determine liability by reviewing operator conduct, equipment compliance, and road conditions
    • Work with accident reconstruction experts if needed
    • Handle communication with insurance companies
    • Fight for fair compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering

    These aren’t simple claims. But with the right legal strategy, you can hold negligent parties accountable and focus on healing.

    Schedule a Free Consultation

    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.

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