Greenville Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer

3 Tips for Driving in Wet Weather from a Greenville Injury Lawyer

Rain and wet roads can create hazardous driving conditions. Even the most cautious drivers are in danger when Mother Nature strikes. The smallest error behind the wheel can have disastrous consequences, which is why driver negligence often leads to serious accidents in inclement weather.

The statistics support this notion, with the AAA reporting that rainy conditions and wet roads cause more than 1 million accidents across the country each year. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid crashes in wet weather.

If you were injured in an accident in Greenville, SC due to another driver’s negligence, contact the Churdar Law Firm. Greenville injury lawyer Doug Churdar will evaluate your crash and determine if you may have valid grounds for a claim. He may be able to recover lost wages and medical expenses that can help you avoid insurmountable debt. Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.

In the meantime, read on to learn three wet weather driving tips:

1. Drive Cautiously

The most important step you can take during wet weather is to drive cautiously and responsibly. Reduce your speed and stay in complete control of your car at all times.

The faster you drive, the less contact your tires will have with the road. Even speeds above 30 miles per hour can be devastating in inclement weather.

In addition to monitoring your speed, it is important to maintain a significant following distance to allow yourself enough time to brake should traffic ahead of you slow. Do not brake or turn unnecessarily, and be sure to signal all of your intentions to other motorists clearly. Remember that not everyone is driving as cautiously as you are.

2. Use Adequate Tires

Make sure your tires have enough tread to grip the road in poor weather. Even the best tires can lose grip in the rain, but according to tire manufacturer Goodyear, there are several steps you can take to avoid an uncontrolled skid.

First, do not automatically reach for the brake pedal in the event of an emergency; this could cause you to skid even more. Rather, feather the brake pedal lightly, and gently steer your vehicle toward safety. Consider purchasing a vehicle with ABS and electronic stability control in order to assist you when braking and handling in wet weather.

3. Take Control

Most modern cars have some form of automated driving option such as cruise control. But according to the AAA, this can be dangerous during poor weather. You should deactivate your cruise control and play an active role in negotiating the difficult conditions. This will improve your awareness and potentially speed up your response time to unexpected hazards.

Injured in an Accident in Greenville, SC?

If you were in a crash, then Greenville accident attorney Doug Churdar may be able to help. He can gather evidence, handle settlement negotiations and litigate your case if it goes to court. Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.