When the rainy season comes to New Jersey, drivers will want to be more careful on the road. When there’s too much rain for a vehicle’s tires to handle, the pressure in the front of the tire will push that water underneath and create a thin band of water between the tires and the road. The thicker it becomes, the more the tires float above the road and lose their traction.
This leads to hydroplaning, which is where the car slides or skids uncontrollably on the road. The risk for hydroplaning is at its highest during the first 10 minutes of rainfall because the water will mix with the oily residue on the road, forming a slippery surface. After that critical period, the water will begin to wash away most, but not all, of the residue.
Drivers can avoid most hydroplaning incidents by slowing down and avoiding large puddles. If motorists do hydroplane, they should keep the following tips in mind. First, they should not apply the brakes. Applying them is an instinctive reaction, but it will cause the car to lose even more control.
Drivers should then turn in the same direction that the rear of their vehicle is heading but without overcorrecting. Once the vehicle repositions itself, they can regain control and pull over to assess any damage.
When hydroplaning results in a car accident, a victim will want to find out if the at-fault party was clearly negligent or reckless. Someone injured through another’s negligence can be compensated for their injuries, vehicle damage and other losses by filing a third-party insurance claim. However, they will most likely need legal assistance before getting started. A lawyer could hire experts to gather the necessary proof and then proceed to negotiations. Victims can litigate as a last resort.