As Planting Season Kicks Off Across the U.S., Experts Warn: Tractor Rollovers Are Still the Leading Cause of Death on American Farms

TULSA, OK — As farmers across the United States begin planting season, safety experts are raising an urgent alarm: tractor rollovers remain the single deadliest event on American farms, and most of these tragedies are preventable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tractor rollovers account for nearly one in three farmworker deaths every year, with over 130 fatalities annually. Thousands more suffer life-changing injuries. Many rollovers occur because tractors are not properly ballasted — meaning the front and rear weights are not properly balanced — causing machines to tip dangerously on uneven terrain or while pulling heavy loads.

“These deaths are not random accidents — they are preventable disasters,” said Donald E. Smolen II, an attorney and advocate for agricultural families. “We’re entering the busiest, riskiest time of year. Every farmer needs to understand the risks — and the simple steps that could save lives.”

How Tractor Rollovers Kill

• Most farmers are crushed or suffocated when a tractor overturns, pinned beneath a machine that can weigh over 10,000 pounds.
• A tractor can crush a person in less than one second, making survival almost impossible without protection.
• Even if crushing injuries aren’t immediately fatal, fatal suffocation often occurs because victims pinned beneath cannot breathe.
• Without ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures), tractors are 3.5 times more likely to cause a fatal rollover.
• Ballasting matters. Improperly weighted tractors are much more likely to lose control, tip backwards during towing, or slide sideways on sloped or uneven ground.
• Rollovers often happen during everyday activities — planting, mowing, hauling, or simple turns on soft fields.

Essential Safety Tips for Farmers This Season:

✅ Only operate tractors equipped with a Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) and seatbelt.
✅ Check and adjust ballast. Use proper front and rear weights based on your tractor’s load and attachments to stabilize your machine.
✅ Avoid steep slopes whenever possible. If necessary, drive slowly in low gear and angle directly up or down, never across slopes.
✅ Survey fields before working. Identify hidden ditches, drop-offs, or loose soil that could destabilize the tractor.
✅ Don’t rush. Fatigue is a major risk factor for mistakes — take regular breaks and stay hydrated.
✅ Regular maintenance matters. Check tires, brakes, steering, and attachments regularly. A mechanical failure can easily lead to rollover.

Farming Shouldn’t Be a Death Sentence

“Farming is already physically and financially demanding. No family should also have to bury a loved one because of outdated equipment or unsafe practices,” said Smolen. “We owe it to farmers — the backbone of America — to make sure they come home safely after every planting day.”

Smolen Law is offering free consultations nationwide to farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by tractor accidents. Whether it’s understanding your legal rights, helping navigate insurance issues, or fighting for accountability, they’re ready to help.

Learn more at www.TractorRollover.com or call (918) 777-4529.