While Florida residents enjoy many sunny days, living in Sarasota and other Florida cities means rainy days as well. While many drivers are thinking about their schedules and commitments when they grab their car keys, they are not thinking about how approximately 25% of car collisions are a direct result of weather conditions. Wet roads increase the likelihood of an accident. If you were injured in a weather-related car crash, talk to a Sarasota car accident lawyer. While there are things you can do to help avoid rainy day collisions, there may be compensation available when they do happen. Wet Pavement Can Lead to Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is when there is a layer of water, sometimes water and oil residue, present between tires and the road. This causes the car to skim and slide, resulting in the driver having less or no control over steering and braking. The treads of the tire are unable to displace the water fast enough, causing the loss of road contact. Also called aquaplaning, hydroplaning is most common in the first minutes of a light rain, but there are things you can do as soon as you notice raindrops on your windshield. Plus, you can assess maintenance issues before driving on Florida roads. When car tires are inflated properly, it reduces the risk of hydroplaning. When you do hydroplane, allow the car to coast as you regain control. Slamming on the breaks can lead to more skids and slips, increasing the likelihood of a collision. Slow Down When Navigating Wet Roads Reducing your speed when driving through a rainstorm can also decrease hydroplaning. Plus, lower speeds allow you to stay in control with enough time to respond to a risk that may suddenly appear without warning. The correct speed when weather is bad could be far lower than speed limits indicate. Drive slow and give other cars plenty of room to navigate wet roads. Some recommend decreasing driving speeds by a third when wet road conditions are present. So, if you typically drive 65 miles per hour (mph) on a Florida highway with a 70 mph speed limit, wet conditions would prompt you to drive at a speed closer to 43 mph. That said, keeping distance from others is essential so you have time and room to brake and maneuver quickly if need be. If you or someone you love is coping with medical bills after an aquaplaning car ran into your vehicle, connect with a Sarasota car accident lawyer. Compensation may be possible. Were you injured in a car accident on a rainy Florida day? Some crashes lead to complex insurance negotiations. Talk to the experienced Sarasota attorneys at Hale Law. Our experienced attorneys will work to secure the maximum compensation amount. Because our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, there are no fees or costs if we are unable to recover compensation. For a free consultation, call at 941-735-4529 or visit our website at HaleLaw.com to chat with us online. We work on a contingency fee basis, which simply means we do not get paid unless you get paid.
Sarasota Rainy Days and Driving Dangers