Bad weather, especially rain, is the most common cause of car accidents. They cause disturbance to drivers and wet the roadways, causing slippery roads. Heavy rain often leads to the creation of potholes on the roads, causing potential risks to drivers and leading to crashes.
However, various tips can help you drive safely during heavy rains and ensure you do not get into accidents. Fortunately, if you get into an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you can file a personal injury claim.
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Following these tips while driving in rainy weather can reduce accidents.
Some expert tips can assist in safe driving. Check out them below.
1. Do not drive unless it is essential
It is advised to avoid driving in the rain and drive when it stops. It is safer that way and helps avoid accidents. Many people love driving or going on drives during rains since the weather may look pleasant. However, one should avoid driving during rain unless it is extremely important.
2. Keep your driving speed slow
Make sure to drive as slowly as possible during the rain. Driving slow helps to avoid skidding as well as hydroplaning. Overspeeding when driving in rain can also affect your car’s breaks and make it difficult to stop when needed, as the fog may make the visibility low.
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3. Double-check your vehicle
It is necessary to keep a thorough check on your car and make sure that all parts are in good condition. Furthermore, it would be best if you inspected your car’s headlights, windshield wipers, tires, and from a mechanic regularly to prevent any malfunctions. Before heading out, especially during long journeys, you should get your vehicle checked from a mechanic. In case there is an issue, your mechanic can repair it and warn you prior.
4. Switch on your headlights
Rain causes damage to visibility, which is a common reason for crashes. Keeping your headlights on when it rains will help improve visibility and facilitate the safety of other drivers on the road as well as yours.
5. Be a careful driver
Serious care and attention must be paid on the road while driving in rainy weather, as it is comparatively riskier and harder to drive in these circumstances. Any distraction should be strictly avoided. These distractions may include using your phone. While many people opt for using their phone during driving for checking the destination, make sure you use it for the right purpose only. Avoid texting and driving as it can be dangerous for you as well as those around you.
6. Avoid tailgating at all costs
Increase the distance between your car and the one in front of you to maintain safety. It is essential as the chances of car crashes are even higher in rainy weather due to the slippery path. Tailgating gives less time to react in case collisions, and accidents become inevitable.
7. Use windshield wipers
Windshield wipers are very helpful in rainy weather. Using them helps in visibility and ultimately avoids any accidents.
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8. Use defrosters
Defogging your windshield is essential to maintain visibility. Back and front defrosters help to remove any fog built up due to precipitation.
9. During a hydroplane, avoid using brakes or turning the wheels
It is suggested to avoid braking if the car is hydroplaning, as it helps to prevent any skids. A gentle break must be done if necessary.
10. Avoid driving in standing water at all costs
Driving in standing water increases the chances of hydroplaning, increasing the risk of a potential skid. This can lead to losing car traction. Therefore, it is advised to steer clear of standing water or drive exceptionally slowly if you are stuck.
11. Avoid cruise control
Cruise control is not appropriate for rainy weather; therefore, it is best to avoid using it, as switching it off provides the driver more control and increases safety.
What to do if you get into an accident in rainy weather?
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Unfortunately, you can get into an accident even if you follow all the safety tips. This is because the other driver being negligent behind the wheels can cause immense damage to you and lead to a collision. In such cases, it is vital to know what you should do following the crash to ensure your safety and well-being.
Moreover, since you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries and damages if the other driver was negligent, you need to ensure you do not do anything that harms your claim or reduces your chances to get compensation. Therefore, follow these steps.
- Pull over to a safe place and check yourself. Your health should be your priority. Therefore, stop your vehicle at a safe place and see if there are any injuries. In case of severe injuries, you will be rushed to the nearest hospital. However, if there are no severe physical injuries, check on others in the car with you.
- Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. Reporting the accident to the police is essential. The police will arrive at the accident scene, investigate it, and file a report. The report will come in handy when you file a claim since it contains all the crucial information regarding the accident. In case the police do not arrive, you can visit the nearest police station and file a report yourself. However, make sure you take a copy of the report.
- See a doctor even if you do not see any injuries. Since many injuries may not be visible initially after the accident, it is still crucial to see a doctor and get yourself checked. A complete evaluation will allow determine if there are any internal injuries. Moreover, seeing a doctor right after the accident will help in proving that your injuries occurred due to the crash.
- Collect evidence. If there are no physical injuries, you can click pictures of the accident scene. Also, take pictures from multiple angles and ensure you click pictures of the damage to your car as well. The pictures will be used as evidence when you are seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
