The Vehicles Classified as Farm Tractor Trailers and the Reasons They’re Involved in Accidents
Farm tractor trailers are essential in the agriculture industry. These vehicles transport crops, equipment, and other materials needed for farming. However, they can sometimes be involved in serious accidents.
According to a report, farm tractor-trailers are a significant safety concern in the US as they are the leading cause of death among farmers.
If you’ve been involved in such an accident, it’s important to consult a farm tractor-trailer accident attorney to understand your rights.
What is a Farm Tractor Trailer?
A farm tractor-trailer is a combination of a tractor (a motorized vehicle) and a trailer (an unpowered vehicle) used on farms to transport goods such as harvested crops, livestock, and machinery.
The primary feature that defines a farm tractor trailer is its design for agricultural purposes. While they are crucial to farming, these tractor-trailers can be dangerous when involved in accidents due to their size, weight, and lack of safety features.
Some common types of farm tractor-trailers include:
- Flatbed trailers: These have no sides or roof and are used for carrying large loads like hay bales or machinery.
- Dump trailers: Used to carry loose materials such as soil, gravel, or harvested crops.
- Livestock trailers: Designed for safely transporting animals.
- Grain trailers: Specifically made for carrying large quantities of grain.
Reasons Farm Tractor Trailers Are Involved in Accidents
Farm tractor-trailers are heavy, large, and often difficult to maneuver. These factors contribute to accidents. Here are some common reasons they are involved in accidents:
Poor Visibility
Farm tractor-trailers are much larger than regular vehicles. Due to their size, drivers often have large blind spots. This makes it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles on the road. Poor visibility can result in collisions, especially on narrow rural roads where farm vehicles often operate.
Driver Fatigue
Farmers often work long hours, especially during planting or harvest seasons. Drivers of farm tractor-trailers may be exhausted, leading to slower reaction times or even falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue is one of the leading causes of accidents involving large vehicles like farm tractor-trailers.
Improper Maintenance
Farm tractor-trailers are often used on rough terrain, which can cause more wear and tear than regular vehicles. Many farmers may overlook regular maintenance checks or repairs due to time constraints or financial reasons. Worn tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights are common issues that can lead to accidents.
Overloaded Trailers
Overloading a trailer is dangerous because it increases the weight the vehicle needs to carry, making it harder to control. This extra weight puts more pressure on the tractor’s engine, brakes, and tires, which can cause them to fail. In some cases, overloaded trailers may even tip over, leading to serious accidents.
Inexperienced Drivers
Driving a farm tractor-trailer requires special skills. Unfortunately, not all farmers or farmhands have the necessary training to operate these large vehicles safely. Inexperienced drivers may struggle with maneuvering, especially on steep hills or narrow roads. They may also be unfamiliar with proper load balancing or how to handle emergencies on the road.
Road Conditions
Most farm tractor-trailers travel on rural roads, which are often not well maintained. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and lack of road signs make these roads more dangerous. Additionally, some rural roads are not designed to accommodate large vehicles like farm tractor-trailers. This can lead to accidents, especially if the driver loses control on a narrow or bumpy road.
Weather Conditions
Farm tractor-trailers are more likely to be involved in accidents during bad weather. Heavy rain, fog, or snow can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. Due to their size and weight, farm tractor-trailers are more difficult to stop quickly, and wet roads increase the risk of skidding or sliding.
Lack of Safety Features
Unlike commercial trucks, farm tractor-trailers are not always equipped with modern safety features. Many older models lack important technology such as anti-lock brakes, stability control, or advanced mirrors to reduce blind spots. This makes them more dangerous on the road, as drivers have fewer tools to avoid accidents.
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