In Macon and beyond, we represent people who have been injured in all types of accidents
What are the biggest risks of driving in the rain?
Operating a motor vehicle when conditions are perfect is difficult enough. But if you throw rain into the equation, you’ll have even more concerns about reaching your destination in a safe manner.
Understanding the top risks associated with driving in the rain can go a long way in keeping you safe. Here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Slick surfaces: When the roadways are slick, there’s a greater chance of losing control of your vehicle. The best way to protect against this is to slow down, even if that means driving slower than the speed limit.
- Standing water: This goes hand in hand with slick surfaces. When a high volume of rain falls in a short period of time, there’s always a risk that it will pool on the surface. If you hit standing water at a high rate of speed, you could hydroplane and lose control of your vehicle.
- Decreased visibility: In addition to road conditions, you also have to concern yourself with what you can and can’t see. Visibility is often limited when it’s raining, making it a challenge to see other vehicles, pedestrians and standing water among other concerns.
- Other drivers: Even if you have a good understanding of how to drive safely in the rain, other drivers may decide to push the envelope. This can be something as simple as driving too fast for the conditions or jumping from lane to lane without signaling.
While these are some of the biggest risks of driving in the rain, others are likely to get in your way as you navigate the roadways. Should you believe that it’s too dangerous to drive, pull to safety and wait out the storm. It will slow you down, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If a negligent driver causes an accident, don’t assume you can exchange information, drive away from the scene and let your insurance company handle the matter.
Even minor fender benders can result in serious injuries, so make sure you receive a thorough medical exam. This will eventually lead you to file an insurance claim and seek compensation from the driver who caused the crash.