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.

A heartbreaking incident occurred recently at Marina Shores in Portage, Indiana, where two people suffered electrical shocks while in the water. Despite courageous rescue efforts by bystanders and first responders, one victim suffered serious injuries, while the second victim lost his life, leaving behind grieving family members. Schafer & Schafer LLP extends heartfelt condolences to the Gonzalez family during this unimaginably difficult time. Our firm has filed a wrongful death and personal injury complaint on behalf of the Gonzalez family, seeking justice and accountability.

Details of the Marina Shores Electrical Shock Incident in Portage, Indiana

On July 10, 2025, Gabriel Gonzalez and his brother Francis Gonzalez, III were at Marina Shores, cleaning a boat. When a fellow boater dropped an item in the water, Gabriel courageously jumped in to retrieve it. Suddenly, Gabriel experienced a tingling sensation before mysteriously going underwater and not resurfacing. Francis jumped in to save his brother but faced the same electrical shock symptoms, resulting in paralysis and other catastrophic injuries. While Francis was rescued, Gabriel’s lifeless body was later recovered. Local authorities confirmed the fatality, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating the circumstances.

This tragic incident was not isolated; four days earlier, a similar electrical shock event occurred at the same marina. The marina had knowledge of this prior event and yet failed to warn patrons or address the hazard, violating required safety codes.

Negligence and Liability in Marina Shores Case

Schafer & Schafer LLP filed a complaint against the Marina Shores owners and operators, citing their failure to maintain a safe environment and warn visitors. The defendants neglected to post mandated warnings as required by National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 555.24, which obligates marinas to display signs alerting of potential electric shock hazards in the water. The marina’s failure to act on prior incidents and lapses in electrical system maintenance were recklessly indifferent to human safety, directly leading to Gabriel Gonzalez’s death and Francis Gonzalez’s injuries.

Attorney Todd Schafer stated, “This tragedy was entirely preventable. The marina knew of a similar incident a few days before and had a duty—not only under industry standards but basic human decency—to warn the public. But they did nothing, and a good family paid the price.”

What This Case Means for Victims of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death in Indiana

This lawsuit highlights the legal obligations of property owners and marina operators to protect visitors from known dangers. Victims of electrical shock incidents and their families deserve justice and compensation for pain, suffering, and losses. Punitive damages are also sought to punish the defendants’ willful and reckless disregard for safety and to deter such negligence industry-wide.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Claims

It is important for families affected by wrongful death or personal injury to be aware of Indiana’s legal time limits for filing claims. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of the victim’s death. 

For personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is also typically two years from the date of the injury. These deadlines are strictly enforced, so it is crucial to consult with experienced attorneys like Schafer & Schafer LLP promptly to preserve your rights and begin the legal process without delay.

How Schafer & Schafer LLP Supports Families Facing Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims

With a legacy spanning over a century, Schafer & Schafer LLP combines compassionate care with aggressive legal advocacy. We have successfully represented numerous injury victims and families seeking rightful compensation in wrongful death and personal injury cases. Our approach ensures families understand their rights while navigating complex legal processes during difficult times.

Contact Schafer & Schafer LLP for Skilled Legal Representation in Personal Injury Cases

If you or a loved one has been affected by a personal injury or wrongful death caused by negligence, contact Schafer & Schafer LLP for a free consultation. Our experienced team is dedicated to pursuing justice and securing compensation to help victims and families rebuild their lives.

Schafer & Schafer LLP stand ready to protect your rights with the knowledge, experience, and commitment that cases like the Marina Shores tragedy demand.

At Schafer & Schafer, we fight for families when they need it most. In a recent wrongful death case, our firm recovered $1 million in policy limits for the family of a young Indiana girl killed in a crash with a farm tractor — a result the insurance company refused to offer before we got involved.

When the family first came to us, they were facing a painful situation without any support from the insurance company. Despite their loss, the insurance company had refused to offer any meaningful compensation. Once we took over the case, we began a thorough investigation to uncover what really happened.

Our Investigation Uncovered a Key Legal Violation

Through our investigation, we found that the tractor was being operated on a public roadway without a slow-moving vehicle emblem, which is required by Indiana law. This important detail created a significant liability issue for the operator and their insurance company.

After presenting this evidence and showing that we were prepared to move forward in court if necessary, the insurance company changed its position. They ultimately agreed to pay the full $1 million policy limits available under the insurance policy.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

This outcome reflects the importance of strong legal advocacy and careful investigation. At Schafer & Schafer, we are committed to helping families find answers and holding responsible parties accountable. We take pride in the results we achieve and the trust our clients place in us.

What Indiana Law Says About Tractors and Farm Equipment on the Road

In Indiana, farm equipment like tractors is allowed on public roads, but there are important safety regulations that must be followed. These vehicles are not permitted on interstates, and when traveling on local or state roads, they must display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem to warn other drivers. Failure to display this emblem is a violation of state law — and a contributing factor in many preventable crashes.

Who Can Drive Farm Equipment on Indiana Roads?

Unlike commercial truck drivers, farm equipment operators in Indiana are subject to fewer restrictions:

• They can be as young as 16-and-a-half
• They are not required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• There are no limits on driving hours
• Use of hand-held phones (aside from texting) is allowed
• Inspections and emergency equipment are often not required

This means large vehicles may be operated by relatively inexperienced drivers, without the oversight required in other transportation industries.

Common Causes of Tractor Accidents

Every year, hundreds of Indiana crashes involve farm equipment. Common causes include:

• Lack of required signage or lighting
• Inexperienced or distracted operators
• Poorly maintained equipment
• Failure to yield or allow passing traffic

When farm equipment is parked improperly, driven without warning signs, or operated carelessly, serious accidents can occur. In these cases, the operator, vehicle owner, or another party may be held legally responsible.

Have You Lost a Loved One in a Tractor or Farm Equipment Crash?

If you or someone you know has experienced a serious injury or loss involving a tractor or other farm equipment, we are here to help. These cases can be complex, especially when an insurance company refuses to take responsibility.

Contact Schafer & Schafer today for a free consultation. We will review your case and help you understand your legal options.