It was an ordinary summer morning when our client, Marcus, became the passenger in a crash that would change his life forever. Riding in a vehicle headed south on a rural highway, Marcus never saw it coming: a backhoe, moving along the shoulder for agricultural work, suddenly steered into the lane of travel directly in front of the vehicle. The impact tore through the passenger side of the vehicle, leaving Marcus with a traumatic brain injury and a brachial plexus injury that permanently cost him the use of his right arm. He was airlifted from the scene. He has never been able to return to physical labor since.
Marcus’s case became a motor vehicle accident lawsuit that took years to resolve, largely because of how complicated crashes involving farm equipment can be. Establishing fault required detailed accident reconstruction, expert analysis of vehicle crush patterns, and a careful examination of how — and why — the equipment entered the roadway. His story is a powerful reminder that farm equipment on public roads isn’t just an inconvenience for drivers in a hurry. It’s a serious safety issue, especially as harvest season ramps up across Wisconsin.
Why Harvest Season Raises the Risk for Motor Vehicle Accidents
Every fall, tractors, combines, and other implements of husbandry return to Wisconsin roadways, and roadway crashes remain one of the leading causes of injury and death in agriculture. The mismatch in speed and size between farm equipment and passenger vehicles creates dangerous conditions if drivers aren’t paying close attention. Here’s what every motorist should know to help prevent the kind of farm accident Marcus experienced.
Never Pass in a No-Passing Zone
Since 2014, it has been illegal to pass farm equipment in a no-passing zone in Wisconsin, regardless of how slowly the equipment is traveling. Wait until you reach a legal passing zone, and never assume it’s safe just because the equipment seems to be moving at a crawl.
Watch for Turn Signals
Farm equipment often signals turns using amber or yellow flashing lights on the cab or fenders, or hand signals if lights aren’t available. Before attempting to pass, make sure the equipment isn’t preparing to turn — especially left-hand turns, which require extra caution and space.
Respect the Braking Distance
Farm equipment is far heavier than a passenger vehicle and needs significantly more distance to stop or maneuver. A car traveling 55 mph can close the length of a football field on a tractor going 15 mph in just five seconds. Even a legal pass near an intersection can leave a farm equipment operator with dangerously little time to react.
Give Equipment Room at Intersections and on Divided Highways
Passing too close to a controlled intersection, or misjudging space on a divided highway, dramatically increases risk for everyone involved. When in doubt, hang back and give farm equipment the space it needs.
When Caution Isn’t Enough
Even the most careful drivers can find themselves in a crash caused by someone else’s error — whether that’s an inexperienced equipment operator, a farm vehicle without proper lighting, or a moment of miscommunication on the road. When that happens, the injuries can be catastrophic and life-altering, just as they were for Marcus.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving farm equipment or any other vehicle, you don’t have to navigate a motor vehicle accident lawsuit alone. The attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde have decades of experience helping injury victims across Wisconsin and Minnesota pursue the compensation they deserve.
Call or text Bye, Goff & Rohde today for a free consultation at 715-425-8161. We’re Wisconsin Strong for the Wronged.