Car Accident Prevention Tips in Rainy Weather
Some safety tips to consider to avoid car accidents in rainy conditions include driving slowly, leaving extra room between vehicles, and avoiding distractions. Bad weather can affect visibility, reduce pavement friction from ongoing rain or poor drainage, and cause lane obstructions from standing water. Knowing how to reduce this risk can help you avoid serious injuries or prevent an accident entirely.
Our car accident team is here for you if you suffer injuries in a crash that occurred in rainy conditions. The car accident attorneys from our firm know how auto insurance laws work. Call (954) 633-8270 to learn more and speak to a member of our team during a free consultation.
Preventing Car Accidents in Rainy Conditions
Some safety tips for avoiding collisions in rainy conditions include:
Ensuring Your Car Is Ready To Drive in the Rain
Your tires are the only part of your car that touches the road surface, making their tread and inflation essential for good traction in wet conditions. Check them regularly and replace them as recommended by your manufacturer.
Rain can significantly affect visibility. You must ensure your wipers are working and the blades effectively clear the windshield. Some people also like to treat their windshield with a water repellant made for glass to help clear their view.
Slowing Down in Rainy Conditions
One of the best ways to avoid any accident is to slow down. This is even more important in the rain when maneuvering or stopping does not happen quickly.
Leaving Extra Room Between Vehicles
When possible, leave space between your car and other vehicles. Because there is less traction when it rains, it takes longer for your car to stop. In addition, the extra room allows you to move to avoid a crash in front of or beside you without requiring dangerous maneuvers.
When possible, choose a lane away from others and leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Generally, middle lanes are less likely to have standing water, but this can vary based on location.
Driving Smoothly
It is easier to maintain traction on wet roads when you drive smoothly. You do not want to make hasty decisions and have to slam on your brakes or jerk the wheel unless absolutely necessary. Instead, take your time when accelerating, braking, or turning. For the same reason, you do not want to use cruise control in wet conditions.
Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving can lead to car accidents, even in the best weather. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine people lose their lives to distracted driving accidents each day in the U.S.
When it is raining, glancing at a phone or reaching for a dropped item on the floorboard can increase the risk of a crash even more.
Knowing How To React if an Accident Occurs
If your car begins to hydroplane, you should know what to do. First, try to remain calm. Continue to look at the lane you want to be in and smoothly steer your car in that direction. You do not want to slam on the brakes or take other drastic action. That could make the situation worse.
If you see standing water, do not consider driving through it. Even relatively shallow water can move vehicles, especially cars and small SUVs. This can be a deadly mistake. Find another route, even if you have to turn around.
What Happens After a Car Accident in the Rain?
After a car accident, you may have a few legal options. You could file an insurance claim with your insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Under some circumstances, crash victims can also sue the at-fault driver for compensation.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), weather plays a role in more than 20 percent of crashes. However, this does not mean there is no at-fault driver in these collisions. Drivers have a legal responsibility to follow all best practices and traffic laws regardless of the weather conditions. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys know how to get to the bottom of what caused a crash and provide evidence to support it.
Building a strong case against the at-fault driver allows us to seek compensation for our clients. We fight for an appropriate payout based on the client’s accident-related expenses and losses. Our team can manage all the legal tasks for you, from negotiating with insurers to representing you in court.
Talk to Our Team About Your Options After a Weather-Related Crash
A team member from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato will discuss your injury accident with you for free during an initial consultation. We will assess your collision and explain your options based on the circumstances of your accident. Contact or call (954) 633-8270 today to get started on your case.
