All of us who live in or near Seattle fully understand how rain affects our lives. For months, we’re forced to deal with the wet weather regardless of what our schedule may hold for us on a given day. One of the biggest risk factors that accompanies rain, especially heavy precipitation, is that which we face when we get behind the wheels of our vehicles. Below is a brief look at some of the issues that tend to cause more accidents in this type of weather.
- Hydroplaning - We have all experienced the uneasy feeling that accompanies a hydroplaning vehicle. It feels as though our wheels are off the ground completely and we are moving at the whims of the water beneath us. In a sense, that’s exactly what is happening, as this occurs when a layer of water finds its way between the rubber on our tires and the road’s surface. It’s caused by changing direction or speed in a wet environment.
- Low visibility – In Seattle, there is the customary drizzle that seems to stay with us throughout the winter and then there is the occasional downpour that all but renders our eyes useless. The heavier it rains, the harder it is to see and to react appropriately to the conditions around us.
- Distraction - When our vehicles are being pounded with precipitation, it creates noise, forces us to focus on our wipers and other tools in the car and generally takes our minds off of what we should be focusing on, which is the road in front of us and the vehicles around us.
These are just three examples, but the best way to minimize the chance that something will happen is to slow down a bit, never pump your brakes, remain focused on the road and to allow for a greater following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, you need to contact the attorneys at Phillips & Webster immediately to schedule a free initial consultation.