In the early 1900s cotton farming and copper mining were two of Arizonas biggest industries. Although cotton has continued to be a major product of Arizonas $9.2 billion a year agricultural industry, other crops have also begun being cultivated in the state.
Harvester combines are a commonly used type of truck used for harvesting grain crops and have become widely popular as they are an important money-saving tool. Some common types of crops harvested with these combine trucks include:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Barley
- Hay
- Oats
- Rye
- Soybeans
- Flax
With an array of crops grown in Arizona, the number of combine harvester trucks being used has grown throughout the years which could be the cause of increasing workplace accidents. According to the Center for Disease Control more than 470 farmers and farm workers died from work related injuries in 2010 with the leading cause being tractor overturns.
Depending on the model being used, a combine harvester can weigh more than 45,000 pounds which is equal to about 5 compact vehicles. Collisions with a combine harvester may not be something frequently reported, however, they do occur as these trucks can often be found on rural roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a harvester truck accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
For a no-cost, no-obligation consultation about your accident claim, fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form to your right.
Types of Combine Harvesters
Along with saving-time, combine harvesters often come with removable heads that are used for different types of crops. There is a standard header, however a variation of it is a flex header that is more commonly used for harvesting soybeans.
Some other common used types of harvester headers include:
Draper Heads: Used for faster feeding and thus more output.
Dummy heads: Used for crops that have already been cut.
Self-propelled Gleaner Combines: Can be fitted with specialty tires to aid in harvesting rice.
Corn Head Combine: An attachment that is equipped with snap rolls that strip the stalk and leaf away from the corn ear.
Additional combine harvesters are also used for hillside leveling as well as side hill leveling, although these are not used in Arizona.
Types of Harvesters Accidents
The size of these trucks is what makes them hazardous, as do the many parts used to harvest all these crops. There are more than 20 pieces that make up a common combine harvester truck each of which could lead to a dangerous situation.
Some of the more common accidents linked to harvester trucks include:
- Harvester runs someone over
- Collision with another smaller farm vehicle
- Contact with the cutter bar or stripper rotor
- Automatic sensors fail to shut machine down
- Cutter pulls user in
Additionally, fires have also been known to occur on harvester trucks usually near the engine where dry crops and dust accumulate and are heated when the truck is on. These fires can quickly spread and not only cause injury to farm workers, but also thousands of dollars of damage to the surrounding areas.
Types of Harvest Accident Injuries
If a collision with a harvester truck occurs, car accident injuries are likely including broken bones or airbag injuries. However, if a person is injured by a harvester that was currently on, or if the farm worker themselves was involved in an accident the injuries may be devastating.
Some common types of injuries include:
Vehicle maintenance is of the utmost important with these harvester trucks as a particular number of accidents can occur if there are flaws with the machinery. It is also important that all motor vehicle drivers drive carefully when they are around these large trucks in order to protect themselves from being involved in a harvester accident.
Contact our Phoenix Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a harvester truck accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for property damage and personal injuries sustained. Harvester accidents are more common than most people believe and the person responsible for you or your loved ones injuries should be held accountable for their actions.
At Phillips Law Group, our Phoenix personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping accident injury victims fight for their right to fair and just compensation. For years we have been providing comprehensive legal counsel to accident victims throughout the Phoenix, Arizona area. We are pleased to help victims in the following areas:
- Peoria
- Scottsdale
- Lake Havasu City
- Tempe
- Chandler
- Mesa
and many more local areas. To find out how we may be able to help you, call 602-222-2222. Our intake staff members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you get started on your claim.
If you prefer to contact us online, fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form located at the top right hand corner of this page.
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