Information and Insight for Injured Iowans

As an Iowa Personal Injury Attorney handling personal injury and auto accident claims and as an old farm boy, I am familiar with the dangers of farm tractors, hay racks, wagons and machinery on the roads.   Many car crashes this time of year are intertwined with the harvest season.  Most involve deer moving about with all the commotion in the fields.  Unfortunately, some involve farmers not obeying the rules of the road – they are after all driving virtual tanks and are rarely hurt when a car collides with them on some rural Iowa road.  They are used to driving in the field where the only traffic is the wildlife scattering to get out of the way.   Some folks seem to forget that they are going to be on the roadways when the workday (or night) is done so in the meantime they have a few beers in the tractor cab.  It is against Iowa law to operate any motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol – even a tractor.  I handled a horrible accident case involving just that.  The farmer had lost his license for drinking violations but didn’t think twice about driving a field tractor and grain wagon home that night – pulling out from the field access directly in front of my client so that my client rear ended the unlit machinery.  All Iowa tractors on the roadways are supposed to have a slow moving triangle facing the rear and at night, an amber flashing light.   The slow moving triangle does no good when covered by field dust and the old lights on the implement are only good if they are converted to fit the new tractor – something not every farmer worries about until its dark outside and too late.  Especially if they have had had a few drinks, are tired and are not concerned about the safety of others.

If you have been hurt by a tractor, combine or some other farm machinery that was not obeying the rules of the road, give us a call and we’ll try to answer you questions.  In the meantime, keep in mind that there could be slow moving machinery around every corner this time of year in Iowa.  Take care and be safe.

Visit our website  www.riccololaw.com to learn what questions to ask your potential  attorney. We have downloadable, free guides on motorcycle, trucking and car accident cases or you can always call without charge or obligation and ask us questions: 1-888- 546-6529.