Even though you may have to drive on snowy, icy or slushy roadways this winter, you are probably more likely to encounter wet pavement. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 75% of weather-related motor vehicle accidents happen on wet roads, with almost half occurring during rainfall.
While a loss of traction may cause a car to spin out, drivers are at risk of hydroplaning with even small amounts of rain. Hydroplaning, which is possible at speeds of 30 miles an hour and above, happens when a car’s tires skid over the surface of pooled water. If hydroplaning causes an accident, you may wonder who is to blame.
Seeking financial compensation
A car accident may leave you with catastrophic injuries that require extensive and costly medical treatments. You may also have property damage. To ensure you do not have to pay for someone else’s poor driving, the law allows you to pursue financial compensation from the driver or drivers who caused the crash.
Assigning blame for the crash
To boost your chances of receiving the financial compensation you need to recover from your injuries, you may have to take legal action against the driver. When hydroplaning causes an accident, the responsible driver is usually the one whose car is hydroplaned. After all, drivers have a legal duty to maintain control of their vehicles in all weather conditions.
If other motorists drive too quickly during inclement weather, you simply cannot force them to slow down. Ultimately, pinning the blame for your accident-related injuries on a hydroplaning driver may give you the financial resources you need to move on with your life.
