Who Is Liable if Hydroplaning Caused a Car Accident?

There are numerous hazards associated with driving in the rain. The heavier the rain, the more dangerous it is to drive. One of the biggest dangers caused by significant rainfall is hydroplaning. If you have been injured in an accident where the other driver hydroplaned, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Most often, it would be the other driver who owes you this money. Always contact an experienced car accident attorney after a crash to discuss your legal options.

Hydroplaning Is Extremely Dangerous and Can Cause Serious Injuries

Hydroplaning can cause an extremely dangerous car accident. It is called hydroplaning because your tires can lose contact with the pavement because of excessive amounts of water on the roadway. Here, there is too much water collected for your tires to move. Then, the car would hover on the roadway, and the driver could lose any and all ability to control the car.

Each year, there are more than 800,000 car accidents that are caused by hydroplaning. These types of accidents actually have a higher rate of injury associated with them because one driver loses control of their car. There are over 300,000 injuries associated with hydroplaning accidents each year and more than 4,000 fatalities. Roughly one out of every 10 car accident fatalities are caused by accidents related to hydroplaning.

The Driver Is Most Often Liable for a Hydroplaning Accident

Hydroplaning is often caused by a driver going too fast. The faster the driver travels, the lesser the amount of traction that the car has. This holds true under normal circumstances, and it is even more the case when there is an excessive amount of water on the roadway. In addition, the treads on the tire also control how much water the tire can push away at one time.  If the driver does not properly maintain their tires and replace them as necessary, there is more of a chance of a hydroplane accident occurring.

Remember that weather conditions are rarely an excuse to excuse a driver from potential liability for an accident. The driver is expected to act reasonably under the circumstances. If there are adverse weather conditions, the driver is expected to adjust their driving to remain safe. When there is heavy rain, a driver is expected to go slower, specifically to avoid something dangerous such as hydroplaning.

In nearly all cases, the driver whose car hydroplanes would be the one to blame for the accident. In any car accident case, you would need to prove that a driver was negligent to be entitled to financial compensation.

Speeding does not necessarily mean that the driver was going above the posted speed limit. Reasonable conduct means that the driver was not traveling faster than they should have been under the circumstances. If the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and it is raining heavily, the driver is strongly advised to go below the speed limit to avoid hydroplaning and losing control of their car.

Other Potential Circumstances Causing a Hydroplaning Accident Case

In rare instances, there may be other responsible parties for the hydroplaning accident. These can include:

• Another driver whose careless actions forced another driver to make a quick reaction that caused them to lose contact with the roadway.
• The manufacturer of a tire if the tread or another design defect caused the accident.
• The government if the water collected on the roadway was the result of improper drainage or maintenance on the road.

Your attorney would conduct a complete investigation of the accident to determine the responsible party and gather the evidence that would allow you to file a claim or sue them.

Contact the East St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm Today

An East St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Cates Law Firm will be in your corner after you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle crash. We can handle all the details of your car accident claim when you are seeking compensation for your injuries. Our law firm offers free consultations to prospective clients, and you can schedule one by calling us today at 618-277-3644 or using our online contact form. Our office is located in Swansea, Illinois, and we serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.