Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Remind Drivers to Use Caution on Wet Roads

A recent accident in Arkansas claimed the life of a Mississippi man. The crash occurred when the man lost control of his car and collided with a vehicle on the other side of the road. The weather might have played a role in this crash. It was raining and the road was wet at the time of the accident. Other accidents occurred throughout the nearby area that day, and wet roads may have contributed to causing those wrecks, too.

Rainy weather and wet roads are just two of the possible hazards that drivers may encounter on the roadway. Wildlife and highway defects are other examples of things that can contribute to causing automobile accidents. Rain increases the risk of car accidents in two ways. When it is raining, visibility is reduced, and drivers may have difficulty seeing nearby vehicles, intersections, road signs, and other things that they need to see to drive safely. Also, road surfaces may become slippery, which increases the likelihood that a driver will lose control of his or her vehicle. Some road surfaces provide better traction in wet weather than others do, and when there is water on the road surface, hydroplaning may occur.

When it is raining, and even after the rain has stopped and the road is wet, drivers can implement a few safe driving practices to increase their chances of arriving at their destinations safely. Slowing down can give you more time to see vehicles, signs, and other things and it can reduce the likelihood that your vehicle will hydroplane. Stopping a car on a wet surface requires more distance, so leave yourself plenty of time. Also, leaving plenty of room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you will give you more time to react to that vehicle’s movements. Keeping a safe distance is always important, but it is even more crucial when the road is wet, and there is an increased risk that that vehicle will hydroplane, swerve, or make other unanticipated movements.

Other road hazards include potholes and rough patches, poor roadway design, inadequate lighting, and confusing signs. Older roads are more likely to contain road hazards because road design has evolved to create increasingly safer roads. Inadequate road maintenance can also increase the risk of automobile accidents. Road surfaces experience considerable wear and tear, and highway budgets do not permit state and local governments to repair and resurface all of the roads that need attention right away, so unsafe conditions may exist for some time before work crews can make the necessary repairs.

Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Support for Mississippi Automobile Accident Victims

If you got hurt in a car crash, the weather might have played a role in causing the accident. Whether or not the weather was a factor in your accident, you would benefit from working with a Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorney. The insurance claims process can be more time-consuming than you might imagine.  Your attorney can help you resolve your claim while you focus on your health and healing. To learn more, call the Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys of the Giddens Law Firm, P.A., at (601) 355-2022.