Tractors on the road and liability

[RayCo]

What's the story with driving a tractor on the road and the liability issue if you're in a collision? Say you're driving a Case 580 on the road you live on, and someone rear-ends you. Who's liable? Does this vary by state? Does it depend on the type of ownership of the machine (business vs. personal use)? Does this vary by state? County? Or, I guess the best question is where would I go to find out the definitive answers? My state police?

The situation in mind is my father-in-law sometimes comes up to my house with his Case 580. He's not in construction or anything; he just has it to do stuff around the house. Our property is connected, so he's now coming up to my house via the woods instead of the road, and this is because he believes that in an accident on the road, he'd be liable, because he's not supposed to be on it. I see backhoes and things on the road all the time. So, what's the deal?

Thanks

 

[Skyco]

Good question. I'd say if one can get there any way other than the road that would be the smart thing to do......if you're killed by a truck on the road it wouldn't matter perhaps who was at fault.

 

[RayCo]

...if you're killed by a truck on the road it wouldn't matter perhaps who was at fault.

Good point. I take my little subcompact through the woods and the trails that I made. Needless to say, the trails I make with a BX24 aren't really wide enough for a fullsize backhoe.

 

[kennyd]

In my area, and I thought most areas, as long as there is an SMV sign on the equipment than it can be operated on the roads. I'd call the local Sheriff or Police office and pose the question to them.

 

[toolaholic]

How about this. I'm running My full size backhoe on public street,and damage a parked car.
I have cont. liabilty ins. ,but never mentioned My backhoe. How is this delt with??

 

[Skyco]

What is "cont. liabilty ins."?

 

[LBrown59]

What is "cont. liabilty ins."?

Took me a while to figure it out too.
Construction or contractors insurance coverage me thinks.

 

[atgreene]

I carry inland marine and full policies on all my stuff, as it's for business us. My fathers stuff is farm only and can be run on the road. A commercial piece of equipment not being used as a farm tractor, has to be registered and insured in Maine. Not sure how other states are.

For your own piece of mind I'd reg it and insure it, just because.

 

[cperky]

I guess the best question is where would I go to find out the definitive answers?

I would ask my tractor insurance company?

 

[mark.r]

I have a farm/ranch policy primarily because we lease our land for horses and a "normal" owners policy will not cover us due to the horses and the fact that lessons are being taught on our property. Along with that policy all my equipment that I include on the policy is covered while on and off my property. This includes driving down the road, doing a job one someone elses land, etc . . .