San Francisco California Car Accident Attorneys
There’s a perception on the part of some drivers that rain simply means wet roads. As a result, drivers don’t always reduce their speed even though more water on the road means an increased risk of hydroplaning. What is hydroplaning? Put simply, hydroplaning occurs when the water in front of your car builds up faster than the weight of the car can push it out of the way. As a result, when a car hydroplanes, its tires lose all or most contact with the surface of the road and essentially float on a thin layer of water. When this happens, a car can fishtail, skid, or spin out of control.
Causes of Hydroplaning and Car Accidents
Hydroplaning is caused by different factors. In some cases, worn-out tires and a lack of proper treading increase the likelihood of hydroplaning under wet or rainy conditions. In other cases, under-inflated tires can make it difficult for the treads to properly remove water in front of the car as it moves forward. If it hasn’t rained for some time, oil may rise to the surface after a rainstorm, leaving the road surface slick and wet. Driver error can also cause hydroplaning, especially when a driver turns too quickly when driving in the rain. In the case of trucks, the wrong tires on an eighteen-wheeler can increase the likelihood of hydroplaning.
Car Accidents, Hydroplaning, Driver Negligence
Maybe you’ve recently been in an accident during or shortly after a rainstorm or foggy night. The other driver may try and deny responsibility, alleging road conditions are to blame for the accident. Of course, this begs the question as to whether or not their tires were properly inflated, were too worn, or whether they were driving in a manner appropriate for the conditions. Here, it’s important to investigate the circumstances surrounding a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident involving hydroplaning to determine if there were other acts of negligence involved as well.
Contact San Francisco Bay Area Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to another driver hydroplaning into you or into an intersection contact San Francisco car accident attorneys Weber & Nierenberg today. We have the resources needed to investigate car accidents that happen in the rain or fog and know what to look for when exposing driver error and negligence. Protect your rights and learn how we can help you – call today.