Even if the skies are clear and you’re enjoying your time behind the wheel, you never know when the weather could take a turn for the worse. Should that happen, you need to adjust your driving style to reduce the risk of an accident.
Every situation is different, but here are some tips you can follow if you find yourself operating a motor vehicle in inclement weather, such as rain or strong winds:
- Slow down: This is one of the best things you can do, as it allows you to maintain more control over your vehicle while also giving you additional time to react to hazards. If you’re driving extremely slowly, put on your hazard lights to let people around you know what’s going on.
- Pull over: If you’re not comfortable driving in the conditions, move to a safe place and wait out the bad weather. For example, you could sit in a parking lot for a few minutes until the rain begins to lighten up.
- Watch for standing water: In the event of a rainstorm, watch for standing water on the road as it can cause hydroplaning. The faster you’re driving when you hit standing water, the greater chance there is that your tires will lose contact with the road.
- Beware of dangerous drivers: While you have to focus on the task at hand inside your vehicle, you should also keep an eye on what the drivers around you are doing. Some people don’t care about the weather, and they’ll continue to drive as they always do. These are the people who are most likely to cause an accident.
With these tips in mind, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to drive safely in inclement weather.
If you’re injured an accident, perhaps due to the result of another driver’s negligence, you should immediately call 911 to request help.
Once you receive medical treatment, you’ll have a better idea of what’s to come and how you can maintain your health down the road. From there, you can turn your focus to filing an insurance claim and taking every step possible to protect your legal rights.