Help avoid a truck or car accident in wet weather by driving at reduced speeds and heeding safety guidelines.
If you hit a patch of water on the highway and it feels as though you are not in control you probably are hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning happens when the volume of water is not allowing your tires sufficient contact with the roadway. When that happens, you may be skidding or drifting out of your lane.
Texas Department of Insurance recommends you do the following to avoid a hydroplaning accident:
• Do not brake or turn suddenly
• Ease of the gas until the car slows enough for you to feel contact with the road
• Turn you wheeler in the direction of the skid, and as you recover gently straighten out the wheel.
• If you need to brake do it gently with light pumping action.
The deeper the water the sooner you can lose control over your car, as speed increases your chances of hydroplaning increase.
If you pass through very deep-water test your brakes. They may be saturated, and only driving very slowly and braking lightly at the same time will generate enough heat to dry them out. Be sure they are pulling evenly on all wheels before building up speed again.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston semi truck accident lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to prosecuting civil lawsuits for victims of truck accidents. If you would like to speak with a Houston 18 wheeler accident attorney call the Baumgartner law firm for a no obligation consultation.
