What Should You Do If Your Vehicle Hydroplanes? Advice from a Shreveport Car Accident Lawyer

Hydroplaning is a terrifying experience. Drivers often react hastily when they lose control of their vehicles, but this can be a fatal mistake.

Motorists must know how to react when their vehicles hydroplane. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Take your foot off the accelerator;
• Do not use your brakes;
• And turn your steering wheel in the direction that you want to go.

Hydroplaning is particularly common when drivers do not adjust their speed and behavior to inclement weather conditions. Unfortunately, other road users often pay the price for this negligence.

If you were injured in a crash that another driver caused, contact a Shreveport auto accident lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. You may be entitled to compensation for time off work, health-care bills and other damages.

Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a consultation. Until then, read on to learn how to prevent and respond to hydroplaning:

What Is Hydroplaning?

According to SafeMotorist.com, hydroplaning happens when a vehicle’s tires skid across a wet surface. It occurs when the tires encounter more water than they can disperse.

Under normal circumstances, tires should scatter water and maintain contact with the road. If this does not happen, then the vehicle may lose traction start skidding. Hydroplaning is a frightening experience, and it can result in a loss of control over the brakes, steering and power.

Hydroplaning is particularly common during the first 10 minutes of a rainstorm. The water mixes with oil on the road, which can make the surface particularly slick.

For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185

How do I Avoid Hydroplaning?

1. Inflate your tires to the correct pressure;
2. Reduce your speed in wet weather;
3. Avoid driving through puddles;
4. Follow the tracks of the vehicle in front of you;
5. Deactivate cruise control;
6. Make sure your tires have good tread;
7. And drive in a low gear.

How to Recover from Hydroplaning

If your vehicle hydroplanes, there should be a noticeable difference in the car’s handling. It may veer in a different direction. Your RPM and speedometer readings may also spike.

According to Driving-Tests.org, if your vehicle hydroplanes, you should immediately take your foot off the accelerator. Do not use your brakes; this may cause uncontrollable skidding.

Turn your steering wheel in the direction that you want to go. This will help you regain control.

Wait until your tires come into contact with the road surface. You will feel that your vehicle has more traction. At this point, you can adjust to the appropriate trajectory.

If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent motorist, then you may have grounds for an injury claim against the at-fault driver. A Shreveport car accident lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC can evaluate your case, gather evidence, structure your claim and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.

Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.