Rainy Conditions a Possible Factor in Austin, TX Car Crash
Late last month, four people were injured in a car accident on Highway 71 in Austin, with first responders mentioning dangerous road conditions after a rainstorm as a possible contributing factor. While South Texas drivers are rarely exposed to the dangers of winter snowstorms that plague states further to the north, rainy conditions can create serious hazards of their own, making it important to take steps to promote safety on the roads.
The Driving Hazards of Texas Rainstorms
Throughout the year, drivers in South Texas are exposed to severe weather conditions, both from weather fronts traveling east across the U.S. and tropical storms that develop in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy rainfall can affect road safety in a number of ways, primarily related to reduced visibility and slippery or flooded road surfaces. In order to lower your risk of getting in an accident, you should take the following safety precautions:
- Make sure your car is ready for the road conditions. This includes checking your tire tread, keeping your brakes maintained, and ensuring that your lights, windshield wipers, and defoggers are all working properly.
- Use your lights when driving in the rain. Due to decreased visibility during a downpour, it is important to turn on your regular-beam headlights whenever you are driving in the rain, no matter the time of day or how light or dark it is outside.
- Travel at safe speeds. Wet roads are more dangerous for drivers traveling at high speeds. In many cases, it is best to reduce your speed below the posted speed limit during or after a rainfall so that you can maintain better control of your car.
- Avoid sharp turns and braking. Similarly, it is best to keep most driving actions slow and gradual, including turning a corner or coming to a stop. Sharp adjustments can often send your vehicle into a skid from which it may be difficult to recover.
- Be careful of standing water. Even a fairly shallow pool of water on the road can significantly increase the risk of losing control and causing an accident. Whenever possible, you should steer around standing water, or consider taking an alternate route entirely.
Contact a New Braunfels Car Accident Lawyer
Even when rainy conditions are a factor in an accident, if you are injured, you still have the right to pursue compensation from another negligent driver who fails to take the necessary precautions to protect your safety. At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we can help you gather evidence pointing to the other driver’s fault and present your case for recovering damages. Contact a New Braunfels personal injury attorney today at 830-443-9193 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://patch.com/texas/downtownaustin/4-seriously-hurt-car-crash-along-sh-7-austin-ems
https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/how-to-drive-in-rain/
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/takefive/safety/driving-rain.html
