South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Wet roads are an unavoidable reality of Florida driving. Driving in the rain can be dangerous because of the decreased traction and visibility, especially at night.
There are more accidents due to rain than snow, primarily because most individuals are more cautious behind the wheel when it’s snowing than when it’s raining. In reality, driving in the rain is just as tricky as driving in snow, and it can result in just as terrible of an accident.
Driving in the rain requires the same heightened attention as in the snow because you have equally poor visibility. This necessitates more awareness about the impact of rain on car accidents.
Keep reading to learn essential tips and insights about car accidents caused by rain in Florida.
Statistics on Car Accidents Related to Rain
There needs to be more public awareness of the car accidents caused by rain. Here are some statistics regarding accidents that occurred because of rain:
- Rain causes more car accidents than snow, with about 50% of weather-related accidents happening during rainfall.
- About 70% of weather-related car accidents are attributed to wet pavement, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Each year, weather-related accidents account for around 6,000 deaths and 445,000 injuries.
- About 10% of all car accidents can be attributed to rain.
Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain in Weston, Florida
There are many reasons for learning as much as possible about car accidents that occur when it rains. The more information someone has, the better off they will be in case of rain when driving. Fewer people would risk their lives by driving too fast during a nighttime downpour if everyone knew the shocking statistics about rain-related accidents.
Below are some safety tips for driving in wet conditions:
Ensure Your Car is in Prime Condition
Keep your car well-serviced and ready for any kind of weather. Take a few minutes each morning to inspect your vehicle’s tire tread depth, headlights, taillights, and turn signals before setting out on your daily commute.
Change your wiper blades when they wear out to keep your windshield clear. You can’t get the most out of your tires unless they have the proper tread. Tires with a high rating for hot and humid conditions should be your first choice when driving in Florida. Maintain in working order and replace as needed anything that has become damaged or worn.
Drive at a Reasonable Speed
It’s important to drive at a safe speed for the road and weather circumstances rather than just the legal maximum. Under ideal conditions, drivers are permitted to travel at the maximum speed indicated.
In wet or rainy weather, that speed could be unsafe for driving. Because of this, it’s essential to prepare ahead of time and give yourself additional time to get to work on a morning when it’s raining. It’s dangerous to use cruise control while driving on wet roads.
Keep a safe distance between vehicles. Ensure to keep a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you. If you can, try to avoid slamming on the brakes or making any other jarring maneuvers. Driving in wet conditions requires the driver’s undivided attention.
Keep Your Eyes on the Car Ahead
Don’t take your focus off the vehicle in front of you. It’s not uncommon to have limited visibility in the rain. A sunny day allows drivers to see what’s happening in traffic several hundred feet ahead. When driving in the rain, you must gauge the behavior of the car in front of you.
It would be best if you slowed down whenever the driver in the car in front did. Still maintain a reasonable distance from the vehicle in front of you, as braking hard on a slippery road will increase the risk of skidding. Keep as much distance as possible from the car in front of you while being close enough to see it well.
Learn How to Handle a Skid
Don’t freak out if you hydroplane or skid while driving. If your car begins to skid, keep steering in the desired direction. Slamming on the brakes will only cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Once the tires hydroplane, they float on the water like water skis and can’t grip the road. In this case, it is best to let off the gas gradually. Slowly spin the steering wheel in the direction your car travels while hydroplaning, and wait for your tires to regain contact with the road.
Ensure Optimal Visibility
Remember to turn on your headlights. Your headlights need to be on if your windshield wipers are operating. If it starts to rain, turn on your headlights to see better. They’ll boost your visibility to others as well.
Use the front and rear defrosters to eliminate fog if your windshield is fogging. When it rains, Florida law mandates that drivers turn on their headlights. Also, motorists caught in a severe downpour can turn on their hazard lights under specific circumstances.
Avoid Flood or Standing Water
Whenever possible, you should avoid driving through water. Because most roads are elevated in the center relative to their sides, it’s best to avoid standing water by sticking to the center of the road.
Sport utility cars in adverts are shown driving through the ocean floor and with solid tire grip in deep water. However, most cars can’t do either of these things. Tap the brake pedal gently before driving past standing water to dry the tire.
Stay Safe
It would be ideal if everyone stopped driving when it rained, eliminating all rain-related car accidents, but this is obviously not possible. If you must drive in the rain, remember these safety precautions and do your best to avoid accidents.
If you think the rain is too heavy to drive in, pull over to the side of the road and wait it out. Never put yourself or anyone else in harm’s way on the road, as no amount of money can ever make up for the loss of a loved one in a car crash.
Contact an Attorney in Case of a Crash
The ability to drive safely on a wide variety of roadways is crucial. Knowing how the road and your vehicle react to rain can help you avoid dangerous situations. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by rain, you should consult with a Weston car accident lawyer today.
Be well-informed and smart about the situation after a rain-related accident. Don’t drive aggressively when it’s raining. Always err on the side of caution in situations like these since you never know what could happen.
You might be eligible for financial compensation if you were injured in a car crash caused by another driver’s carelessness while driving in the rain. The Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers team can help you seek fair compensation for damages. We can help assess your case and hold the at-fault parties responsible for their actions.
Call us at (561) 800-8000 or through our contact page to schedule a free consultation.