Agricultural Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Agricultural vehicle accidents in Michigan are some of the most devastating and complex cases we handle. One moment you’re driving down a quiet rural road, and the next, you’re facing the full force of industrial-sized farm machinery—machines that can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and leave catastrophic injuries in their wake. When a tractor, grain truck, or harvesting machine crosses the center line or pulls out unexpectedly, the consequences are life-changing.

If you’re reading this because you or someone you love was hurt in a farming-related crash, you may feel overwhelmed, angry, and unsure where to turn. That’s normal. Agricultural accidents often involve powerful employers, complicated insurance layers, and equipment operators who may try to shift blame onto the victim.

At Marko Law, we know these cases inside and out. Our team has represented injured farmworkers, rural motorists, and grieving families across Michigan. We’ve taken on corporations, manufacturers, and government entities—and won. When the stakes are high, we fight hard, and we don’t back down.

What Counts as an Agricultural Vehicle Accident?

Agricultural accidents involve far more than just tractors. Michigan’s farming operations rely on a wide range of oversized, heavy, and slow-moving machinery that can cause serious harm when used recklessly or without proper training. These cases may include crashes involving:

• Tractors, combines, and forage harvesters
• Grain trucks and manure spreaders
• Farm utility vehicles (UTVs) and ATVs used in agricultural work
• Livestock haulers and animal transport trailers
• Specialized farm machinery transported on public roadways

These vehicles behave very differently from standard passenger cars. They take longer to stop, swing wide during turns, have limited visibility, and often travel at low speeds that can surprise drivers on rural highways. When improperly marked, poorly lit, or operated by inexperienced workers, they become dangerous obstacles.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Agricultural Vehicle Accident?

Farm Owners / Agricultural Employers

Farm owners are responsible for ensuring that their workers are trained, supervised, and operating machinery safely. They may be liable when:

• Workers are allowed to operate machinery without proper training
• Equipment is poorly maintained or defective
• Dangerous practices are ignored or tolerated

Commercial Farming Operations & Corporations

Large agricultural companies can be held accountable when their employees cause harm under respondeat superior, a legal principle that makes employers liable for the wrongful acts of their workers. These cases often involve:

• Corporate safety violations
• Pressured schedules leading to fatigued operators
• Improper transport of oversized machinery

Equipment Manufacturers

Sometimes the fault lies not with the operator, but with the machine itself. Manufacturers may be liable when:

• Machinery parts fail unexpectedly
• Safety systems malfunction
• Equipment is defectively designed

Third-Party Contractors

Modern farming relies heavily on outside contractors—each of whom may share responsibility, including:

• Transport companies hauling machinery or livestock
• Crop consultants or applicators operating specialty equipment
• Maintenance vendors performing inadequate repairs

Government Entities (in limited scenarios)

Road design, signage, or maintenance failures can contribute to agricultural crashes. Under certain Michigan-specific circumstances, a city, county, or state agency may share responsibility for:

• Poorly maintained rural roads
• Obstructed signage
• Dangerous intersections

How Michigan Law Treats Agricultural Vehicle Crashes

Does the Agricultural Vehicle Count as a “Motor Vehicle”?

Under Michigan law, No-Fault benefits generally apply when a motor vehicle is involved. But many agricultural machines are not classified as motor vehicles because they’re not designed for highway use. That can mean:

• Some victims do qualify for No-Fault medical and wage-loss benefits
• Others must pursue compensation entirely through negligence or product liability claims

Where the Accident Happened Matters

Crashes on public roadways may involve different legal standards than accidents occurring:

• On farms
• On private property
• At work sites
• At equipment staging areas

Potential Claims in Agricultural Machinery Crashes

Third-Party Negligence Claims

Victims may bring claims against:

• Negligent equipment operators
• Farm owners
• Agricultural corporations
• Contractors or transport companies

These claims can cover pain and suffering, long-term disabilities, and other non-economic losses.

Product Liability Claims

When machinery malfunctions due to:

• Defective parts
• Poor design
• Mechanical failures

Employer Liability & Civil Rights Considerations

In certain rare situations—especially where a worker reports unsafe practices and is fired, punished, or retaliated against—claims may arise under:

• Michigan employment laws
• Federal civil rights protections
• Whistleblower retaliation theories

This can apply to farmworkers, seasonal laborers, or mechanics who speak up about dangerous equipment.

How Marko Law Builds a Powerful Agricultural Accident Claim

Agricultural machinery cases are won by acting fast, digging deep, and refusing to accept the half-truths that negligent operators and large farming companies often push. At Marko Law, we build every agricultural accident case with the precision and intensity it deserves.

Immediate Evidence Preservation

The first hours after a crash are critical. Physical evidence can disappear, machinery can be moved, and corporate records can suddenly “go missing.” Our team takes immediate action to secure:

• Scene photos and videos
• Machinery inspections
• Employer safety logs and maintenance records
• Operator statements
• Witness interviews

Reconstructing the Accident

Agricultural vehicles leave clear mechanical signatures—if you know how to find them. Our lawyers and experts work together to:

• Map the machinery’s path
• Analyze skid marks, impact angles, and sight lines
• Evaluate roadway conditions
• Determine if proper lighting, signage, or safety markings were used

Investigating Operator Qualifications

Many agricultural accidents are caused by untrained or exhausted workers pushed into operating dangerous machines. We examine:

• Training records
• Supervision practices
• Hours-of-service and fatigue-related issues (supported by CDC’s research on workplace driver fatigue)
• Drug and alcohol compliance

Holding All Negligent Parties Accountable

Agricultural cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility. We pursue claims against:

• Corporate farming operations
• Individual farm owners
• Equipment manufacturers
• Transport contractors
• Maintenance vendors
• Municipalities responsible for unsafe roadway conditions

Leveraging Expert Witnesses

Complex machinery requires complex proof. We partner with:

• Agricultural safety experts who understand industry standards
• Accident reconstructionists who can explain how and why the crash occurred
• Medical experts who can project long-term care needs, disability, and future costs

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Medical Bills and Future Medical Care

Emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, long-term physical therapy, and specialized care such as treatment for traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

If the crash impacts your ability to work—temporarily or permanently—you may recover financial losses linked to your career and future earning potential.

Pain and Suffering

Serious injuries take an emotional and physical toll. Michigan law allows victims to seek compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.

Loss of Companionship or Consortium

According to Cornell Law School, “loss of consortium” refers to the harm suffered by a spouse or family member when injuries affect the victim’s ability to maintain relationships. These damages often apply in severe or permanent injury cases.

Wrongful Death Damages

For families who’ve lost someone in an agricultural machinery crash, Michigan’s wrongful death laws allow claims for:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional suffering of surviving family members

Property Damage

Including damage to your vehicle, personal items, or other property impacted by the crash.

Long-Term Home or Vehicle Modifications

Some injuries require major lifestyle adjustments, such as wheelchair ramps, vehicle lifts, or mobility equipment.

What to Do Immediately After an Agricultural Vehicle Accident

Call 911 and Report the Accident

Even if the farm owner insists on “handling it privately,” call law enforcement. A formal police report creates a critical record of what happened.

Document the Scene — If You’re Able

If your injuries allow, take photos or videos of:

• The vehicles and machinery involved
• Road conditions
• Debris, skid marks, and impact points
• Missing safety signage or lighting
• Visible injuries

Get Medical Care Immediately

Never assume you're “fine.” Agricultural machinery delivers immense force, and injuries such as concussions, internal bleeding, and soft-tissue trauma may not appear right away. Early medical documentation strengthens both your health outcome and your claim.

Do Not Talk to the Farm Owner, Insurance Adjusters, or Corporate Representatives

They may seem friendly—but their goal is to protect themselves, not you. Anything you say can be twisted to limit or deny your claim.

Contact a Michigan Agricultural Accident Lawyer Immediately

Heavy machinery accident cases move fast. Farms and corporations may repair equipment, erase data, or pressure witnesses. The sooner you have an attorney, the sooner critical evidence can be secured.

You Deserve Justice After a Farm Machinery Accident

Agricultural vehicle accidents shatter lives. Victims face overwhelming medical bills, long recoveries, job loss, and emotional trauma—all while powerful farming operations and insurance companies work behind the scenes to minimize their responsibility.

You don’t have to fight them alone.

At Marko Law, we stand up to corporate farms, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and insurers who try to dodge accountability. Our team knows rural Michigan, we know heavy machinery cases, and we know how to win. When your future is on the line, we fight hard—and we don’t back down.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com