The rainy season is upon us and the chance of being involved in an
auto accident has greatly increased.
The following are some important tips to keep you safe when driving in the rain:
- Safety begins before you leave your home. Make sure your windshield wipers
are in good condition and replace them if you cannot see clearly through
your windshield.
- Check your tires to be sure they have good tread. Well-maintained tires
with correct pressure are vital to ensure you maintain traction on a wet road.
- Keep your eyes on the road, both hands on the steering wheel and stay alert
when driving in the rain.
- Use your headlights: other drivers will be able to see you more clearly
when your lights are on.
- Be aware of your surroundings and pull over to a safe location, such as
a parking lot, if the weather is too severe for you to see clearly.
- It is best to drive below the speed limit and keep extra distance from
the car in front of you since it takes longer to stop in the rain. Maintaining
a safe distance of at least 5 car lengths between you and the car in front
of you will provide a safe margin of error should the car in front of
you make a sudden stop.
- If you find yourself hydroplaning, stay calm and don’t make any sudden
steering or braking moves. Let up on the gas and steer straight ahead
or in the direction you were originally going.
- Stay away from flooded areas; attempting to drive through standing water
could damage your brakes, engine and transmission or, even worse, could
cause your vehicle to stall.
Unfortunately, even if you take precautions and drive safely in the rain,
accidents can happen to the best drivers. If you are involved in an auto
accident and are injured from someone else’s negligence, call our
office anytime for a free consultation at
(504) 470-3935. We have been helping personal injury victims for 38 years and can
help answer any questions you may have.