Toll-Free: 800-354-6275
Phone: 817-294-1900
As a Dallas-Fort Worth car crash lawyer, I know that traffic accidents can happen in all kinds of circumstances. However, whenever DFW is hit by adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, hail, sleet and snow it is inevitable that the number of injury-causing accidents will rise. Just because it was raining does not mean that the driver who hit you was not at fault. When we get behind the wheel of our key we have a duty to drive safely.
There are a number of factors associated with driving in the rain which create additional potential for multi-vehicle wrecks. Most obviously is that rain makes the road surface slippery. This is especially true at the start of the rainfall as rain water will make oil and grease rise to the surface of a dry dusty road, creating a slick surface. For this reason it is important that you drive slightly slower than usual so as to have better traction on your tires. Speeding on wet surfaces can result in hydroplaning.
Another major safety issue caused by rain is poor visibility. In Texas, it is not uncommon for the heaviest rain to come at night, resulting in an extremely bad combination. It is essential that you have the heat turned up in your car to properly defog the windshield and back window. It is also advisable that you drive with your lights on so that other drivers are more likely to see you better. Unfortunately, when driving in heavy rain, the sheer volume of falling water can create a visibility hazard, as can the water and dirt kicked up from the road by the vehicle in front of you. Without being excessively timid, make sure that you keep a reasonable distance from the car, truck or motorcycle ahead of you and pay close attention to their reactions (braking, etc.)
Unfortunately, not all drivers are considerate or safety conscious. Reckless drivers will be reckless regardless of the weather conditions. For this reason the potential for a collision is significantly greater when the road is wet and there is poor visibility. Even professional truck and bus drivers who are supposed to be expert drivers are liable to cause deadly crashes in the rain because they are paid to push the limits and cover as much distance as possible as quickly as possible – regardless of the weather.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by the negligence of another motorist, you should contact a personal injury and wrongful death attorney who will be able to explain your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation.
For free information or to speak to an attorney, please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.
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