Wet Weather Driving Safety Tips

With rain this morning and more expected tomorrow morning, now is a good time for a refresher on safe driving tips during wet weather. Taking a few preventative measures can reduce our chances of causing or being involved in collisions.

• Be sure to slow down. Particularly in the first few hours following rainfall, when the roads are most likely to be slippery, be sure to adjust your speed. Driving the speed limit may not be appropriate during heavy rain while visibility and road conditions are adversely affected. It will take longer for your vehicle to slow down and come to a complete stop if roads are slippery, and it may be more difficult to see obstacles in the road or other vehicles. Reduce your speed.
• Leave more room between your vehicle and other vehicles. Keeping in mind the fact that it will take longer for your vehicle to come to a complete stop if traffic changes or an emergency arises, be sure to increase the following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. In the same token, do not cut immediately in front of other vehicles and place yourself in danger of a rear-end accident.
• Take extra caution. It is important to remember that other drivers may not adjust their speed or driving behavior to accommodate poor road conditions caused by wet weather. Be on the lookout for careless or dangerous driving behavior. Report drunk drivers or accidents by calling 911 or your local law enforcement office.
• Do not use cruise control. When it's raining or has just rained, do not use cruise control. You have less control of the vehicle while using this feature and will be unable to ease up on the gas if you begin to lose traction, which is the normal, safe response in this situation.
• If you do lose control and begin to spin, avoid slamming on the brakes. Do not panic. Instead, keep your eyes on the road and steer in the direction you would like the vehicle to go.

Here in Southern California, we are fortunate enough to avoid snowstorms and ice (except in very rare circumstances). Rain is also a relatively infrequent occurrence, and this makes it all the more important to remind ourselves of tips to drive safely when road conditions are less than ideal due to rainfall. If you have been involved in a car accident in the rain, another driver or perhaps a faulty auto part could be to blame. When this is the case, you may be able to seek compensation from the other driver's insurance policy or from the auto manufacturer or other party responsible for the collision.

The McClellan Law Firm provides legal counsel for car accident victims and their families throughout the San Diego area. We help victims seek justice and recover financial compensation for property damage, lost earnings and medical expenses stemming from accidents and acts of negligence or wrongdoing. While rain-related auto accidents may be attributed to the weather, there may be an underlying act of negligence or carelessness that is truly to blame.

Involve a San Diego car accident lawyer at our firm to discuss liability and the value of your car accident claim. During a free consultation, you can find out what steps can be taken to pursue a fair settlement or award. This may be just what you need to begin rebuilding and moving on with your life in the wake of a serious collision. Should we work together on your claim, you also pay no legal fees unless we win.