On even the most beautiful spring days, sunny skies can easily turn stormy at a moment’s notice. While it’s best to avoid driving until the thunderstorm has passed, our Bucks County motor vehicle accident lawyer knows it’s not always possible to do so. For times when you have no choice but to weather the storm from your vehicle, be sure to familiarize yourself with the hazards rainstorms bring for motorists and how to most effectively deal with them:
- Hazard #1: Low Visibility – Even with your windshield wipers going at their highest speed, a heavy rain will considerably affect your ability to see what lies ahead. To account for limited visibility during a storm, our motor vehicle accident lawyer in Bucks County recommends reducing your speed and turning on your headlights to help you see and be seen. And if you’re really having trouble seeing the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.
- Hazard #2: Standing Water – As rain collects in puddles on the road, it’s important to remember the old saying “turn around, don’t drown.” In other words, if you encounter a flooded roadway, it’s critical that you turn around and take an alternate route rather than attempting to drive through the water. Even if a puddle appears shallow, it may be deeper than it seems. Plus, there’s always a chance that the water could be concealing a pothole or a washed out roadbed, either of which could spell disaster for both your vehicle and your personal safety if driven over.
- Hazard #3: Decreased Traction – It should go without saying that wet roads equal less traction, but it’s always worth a reminder. With this in mind, you should up your following distance to 5-6 seconds to ensure that you have enough time and space to stop quickly if needed. And remember: Your risk of hydroplaning increases greatly at speeds above 35 mph, so keep it under that when driving on waterlogged roads.
- Hazard #4: Lightning – In terms of preventing electrocution, a fully enclosed vehicle is one of the safest places you can be when lightning strikes during a storm. However, lightning can do more than just strike you – it can also cause temporary blindness if it lights up the sky while you’re driving in the dark. Furthermore, it can hit objects around you and cause them to fall onto the road or even catch on fire. With this in mind, always be on high alert in case an object comes down onto the roadway in front of you, and avoid driving during nighttime lightning storms at all costs.
Traveling by car during a springtime storm exposes you to some very serious dangers; however, following these tips from our Bucks County motor vehicle accident attorney can help reduce the risks.
Hit By a Negligent Driver? Call the Heslin Law Firm
Even when you do everything possible to avoid the hazards Mother Nature poses while driving in a thunderstorm, it unfortunately won’t keep you safe from other drivers who don’t take storms seriously. You may end up in front of a driver who doesn’t feel the need to increase their following distance on wet roads, or perhaps you’ll encounter a motorist who isn’t totally focused on the challenging task of driving in rainy conditions. Scenarios such as these can result in you being involved in a car accident through no fault of your own. That’s why the Heslin Law Firm is here to fight for your rights.
With a reputation for being the motor vehicle accident lawyer Bucks County can rely on, Mr. Gary Heslin will carefully collect the details of your case and seek to win you the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. If you’d like to learn more about how Mr. Heslin can help you or schedule a free consultation with this skilled Bucks Counter motor vehicle accident lawyer, call (215) 332-0300 today. And if you’re working on a construction site this spring, don’t miss our seasonal tips on construction safety. In the event that you need compassionate, professional legal guidance, we look forward to serving you.