Hydroplaning causing countless car accidents every year in Florida. And unfortunately, these accidents often result in serious injuries. Luckily for Florida drivers, hydroplaning accidents are avoidable, and the best way to avoid such accidents is to develop a basic understanding of hydroplaning. Below is an overview of hydroplaning accidents in Florida.
Hydroplaning Accidents
Hydroplaning occurs when water stays between a car’s tire and the road, disconnecting the tire from the surface and momentarily causing the vehicle to lose control. This loss of control is what leads to hydroplaning accidents. In addition, drivers often attempt to overcompensate by hitting the gas or making an exaggerated turn, and this only makes things worse.
Avoiding Hydroplaning
In order to avoid hydroplaning, you should:
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated,
- Rotate your tires regularly,
- Check your tires regularly for worn tread and replace as necessary,
- Slow down when driving in wet road conditions,
- Avoid driving through puddles or standing water,
- Avoid driving in the outer lanes where water is likely to accumulate,
- Avoid using cruise control in the rain,
- Drive in a lower gear,
- Avoid braking too hard, and
- Avoid making quick or sharp turns.
Who’s at fault in hydroplaning accidents?
Although every hydroplaning accident is different, there are three primary parties who may be held responsible following an accident. These parties include:
The driver – A driver may be held liable for a hydroplaning accident if he or she was speeding at the time of the accident, failed to properly maintain his or her tires, or failed to adhere to any of the other safety tips described above.
The manufacturer – A manufacturer may be found liable for a hydroplaning accident if it can be proved that the manufacturer knowingly distributed a tire that failed to meet safety standards.
The city – If a city failed to maintain the road where the accident occurred, failed to clear gutters, or failed to fix road design flaws that caused water to accumulate, a court may find it to be at fault for a hydroplaning accident.
Have You Been Injured in a Hydroplaning Accident?
If you’ve suffered injuries in a hydroplaning accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., our Pensacola attorneys have over seventy years of combined experience representing the victims of car accidents in Northwest Florida. At Staples Ellis, we will aggressively represent you in your hydroplaning accident case. Therefore, if you or a loved one have been injured in a hydroplaning car accident, Staples Ellis is here to help. Please contact our office as soon as possible to set up a consultation with one of our talented attorneys.
Posted in: Auto Accidents