Unfortunately, each year, of the estimated 5.8 million auto accidents that occur in America, about 25 percent are weather related.
One of the main culprits in weather-related accidents is hydroplaning, which occurs on slick and wet roads. This phenomenon takes place when tires slide on the surface of a road, preventing a vehicle from stopping or responding to driver controls.
To prevent a hydroplaning accident from taking place, our Nashville car accident attorney suggests that drivers use caution when operating a vehicle in poor weather. Some steps a driver can take include:
- Rotating your tires regularly and making sure that they are properly inflated
- Avoiding riding in outer lanes, where water is most likely to gather
- Maintaining a safe speed
- Avoiding tailgating
- Turning off cruise control
- Not panicking when control is lost or overcorrecting your vehicle
- Avoiding hard braking
Keep in mind, even if your vehicle hydroplanes, if you injure or kill another driver in an accident, you can be held liable.
NASHVILLE SCHOOL BUS INVOLVED IN A HYDROPLANING ACCIDENT
Recently, the Tennessean reported that a hydroplaning car caused a crash involving a STEM Prep Academy school bus near the Nashville International Airport.
The news source said the accident took place on September 9. Police said the driver of a Ford Focus was traveling northbound on Donelson Pike when the vehicle slid into a school bus traveling southbound.
The bus driver reportedly suffered an arm injury and the driver of the Focus was taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, no students were injured in the crash. The accident took place at around 4 p.m.
SHOULD I CALL A LAWYER AFTER A HYDROPLANING ACCIDENT?
Drivers have a duty to make sure that they use caution when the weather is bad. If someone fails to do this, he or she can be held liable in the event of a car accident. Regardless of the weather outside, if someone’s negligent actions contribute to your injuries or your loved one’s death, you can seek damages through litigation, which can be used to help you recover.
If you have questions about your legal rights following a car accident, you can reach our Nashville lawyer by clicking on the live chat option on this page or by filling out the contact request form.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” – Matthew 28:18