According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, 23 percent of the nations almost 6 million annual car accidents are related to bad weather. Although South Florida doesn’t have to contend with snow and ice, we do experience heavy rains, fog, slick pavement and high winds. This is significant because nearly 3/4 of the traffic accidents attributed to bad weather involve wet pavement – and half of those are related to rain.
Tips on Driving in Bad Weather
Low Visibility: Over 38,700 automobile crashes occur in fog annually, resulting in 600 deaths and over 16,000 injuries. If you find yourself driving in a low visibility situation, continue driving at a reasonable speed. Keep your headlights on, but do not employ your high beams. High beams will reflect off the moisture in the air and actually decrease visibility. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, turn them on. Avoid changing lanes, avoid tailgating, and pull over if necessary. However, don’t just stop on the side of the road, as other drivers may not be able to tell that you are at a standstill. Pull as far off the road as possible, making your way to a parking lot, rest area or driveway if possible.
Rain and Flooding: As stated, 75% of weather-related accidents happen on wet or slick roads. These accidents are attributed to 5,700 deaths and nearly 545,000 injuries annually. Inland flooding, which usually follows a tropical storm or hurricane, has historically represented a significant source of fatalities. If driving in rain and flooding scenarios, pay attention to all barriers, and do not drive through standing water. If driving in heavy rain, eliminate all distractions and keep your eyes firmly on the road. Slow down to a speed which feels safe. If you need to get somewhere important during severe rains, leave at least twice as early as normal. Keep in mind that wet roads are especially dangerous if it hasn’t rained in a while, because oil, gas and debris have accumulated on the roads surface.
If there is a hurricane in our area, you should stay off the roads if at all possible. If you must drive immediately following a hurricane or severe storm, avoid all standing water. Keep an eye out for downed wires and slow down. You should never deploy cruise control in these situations, as the car may be prone to hydroplaning at any time.
High Winds: In the Sarasota area, high winds can whip up with very little warning. High winds can destabilize large vehicles, and even push smaller vehicles from their lane. In serious situations, debris may be flying as well. Be sure eliminate all distractions, pay close attention, and keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles, especially large vans, trucks, or semis.
Who is at Fault?
Florida is a no-fault state, and all drivers involved in an accident will first turn to their own insurance company for any property or medical claims. However, if you feel someone else was at fault for your injury, you may be able to pursue a claim with their insurance company – or if all else fails, via a lawsuit.
In many situations involving bad weather it may be difficult to prove that the other driver was negligent, as the weather conditions are out of their control. However, if you can prove that the accident was caused because the driver was reckless given those conditions, you may have a case.
Probinsky & Cole are proud to professionally represent clients in personal injury cases involving negligence and car accidents. If you need assistance, call us right away to determine if we can help.
