Though Superstorm Sandy has come and gone, the Northeast part of the United States should expect more rain to come in the next few months. With the rains come wetter road conditions. This increases your risk of being injured in a serious Virginia car accident.
Wet Road Conditions and the Dangers
It’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine that driving in the rain is more dangerous than driving in dry conditions. A major part of avoiding a car accident is being aware of the inherent dangers wet roads pose, such as understanding that:
- The action of your headlights is reduced significantly when it is raining.
- Tires tend to lose traction easier due to the film created on the streets by the water.
- Your vision can become impaired drastically. It can be harder to see through your windshield wipers and the falling rain.
6 Tips for Avoiding a Serious Wreck
The last thing you want is to become a statistic. Here is a list of six safety tips you can follow when driving in the rain:
- Slow down. Chances are your vehicle will not respond to road dangers in the same way it would when it is not raining. The faster you drive, the more likely you are to lose control of your vehicle and become involved in an accident.
- Avoid crossing running water. It is nearly impossible to anticipate how deep and how powerful a body of running water is. The force of water is more powerful than your vehicle, and you may find yourself quickly being pushed sideways and into another vehicle or stationary object.
- Use your headlights. You should always use your headlights when it’s raining, even during a light sprinkle. Beside the fact that your headlights make it easier for you to see the road, it will help other motorists see you. The easier your car is to see, the less likely another vehicle will strike yours.
- Be extra careful after a long dry spell. Roads become extra slick after a long dry spell and during the first rains. Oil and grease build up during dry periods and make driving extra dangerous until the buildup is washed away.
- Allot for more travel time. As stated above, you need to slow down when driving in the rain. The faster you drive, the higher your chances of being seriously injured in a crash are. That is why you should allot for more travel time to your destination when it is raining.
- Don’t forget about pedestrians. Just because you are out of the rain doesn’t mean everybody else is. Rain doesn’t necessarily mean that no one is walking on foot. Understanding that there are still people outside in the rain can help you avoid striking one.
If You Are Involved in an Accident
Unfortunately, no matter what precautions you take, you can’t always avoid an auto accident. Somebody else’s negligence can leave you with a debilitating injury, unable to work and pay for your medical bills. That is why you should call Tavss Fletcher.
Our team of experienced auto accident attorneys can help you hold the other driver liable for your damages. Our goal is to help you get the best medical treatment possible and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in a car accident, call a Virginia personal injury attorney at Tavss Fletcher at (757) 625-1214. Call us today for an evaluation of your case.