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If Mayflowers Bring Pilgrims, What Does April Showers Bring…More Accidents

February 7, 2017

Does Rain affect vehicle accidents and personal injuries

Wet roadways are a significant contributing factor in increased motor vehicle crashes.  In a study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, rain accounted for 10% of motor vehicle crashes between 2007 and 2016.  Rain also accounted for 46% of all weather-related crashes.  On average, nearly 5,000 people are killed and over 418,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes each year.  Roughly 15% of fatal crashes, 19% of injury crashes and 22% of property-damage-only crashes are caused by adverse weather conditions, such as rain, annually.  Rain reduces visibility distance, pavement friction and in some instances can obstruct lanes of travel.  All of these factors lead to an increase in motor vehicle accidents.
To avoid being a statistic, AAA suggests checking your windshield wipers, headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals before leaving your home.  Proper tire tread and inflation are very important in maintaining proper traction on wet roadways.  An easy way to ensure you have proper tread is to use a penny to check the depth on the tread on your tires. Flip the penny so that Abraham Lincolns head is upside down.  Then insert the penny into the tread of your tires.  If his head is NOT partially blocked by the tread, it is time to change your tires.  Over things to remember while operating your motor vehicle in raining conditions are to avoid cruise control, to slow down and to leave room.  It is important to remember that your motor vehicle will likely not stop as fast on wet roadways as it would on dry roadways, so slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the motor vehicle in front of you.  For that same reason, avoid using cruise control in rainy weather.Finally, if you find yourself in a skid due to wet roads, it is important to not panic.  To recover from a skid, it is important to remember not to slam on the brakes, and if you have an anti-lock braking system, not to pump the brakes, instead apply pressure to the brakes in a firm manner and steer the front of the car in the direction of the skid.  And if you find your car hydroplaning, it is important to remember not to brake, instead take your foot off of the gas, hold the steering wheel in place, and lightly apply the brakes.Be safe out there, and if you do find yourself injured due to someone else’s negligence we are here to help you.  It’s Your Injury, But It’s Our Fight.

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