Am I covered if a farm tractor or combine causes a crash on a rural Michigan road?

Farm equipment crashes raise unique questions, but you generally have the right to pursue a claim if a tractor or combine operator caused a collision. Key factors include:

• Whether the equipment displayed proper slow-moving vehicle markings and lighting, required under Michigan law
• Whether the operator followed traffic laws, including proper signaling and lane positioning
• Whether the equipment was mechanically sound or had defects that contributed to the crash
• Whether visibility issues, like dust, debris, or lack of reflectors, played a role

Rural Michigan roads see these crashes more often in spring and fall harvest seasons, and they can cause serious injuries given the size and weight disparity between farm equipment and passenger vehicles. Insurance coverage for farm equipment can be structured differently than standard auto policies, which makes these cases worth a closer look from someone familiar with how they work.