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Spring is here, and the official start of the rainy season in Florida is right around the corner. With that comes the potential for hazardous driving conditions.
In fact, according to the Department of Transportation, “…75 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement, and 47 percent happen during rainfall.”
As personal injury lawyers in Tampa, we’ve seen firsthand how rain can negatively impact motorists’ ability to drive safely.
This blog covers four wet-weather driving tips and what to do if you’re involved in an accident.
4 Wet-Weather Driving Tips
- Slow down and keep a safe following distance.
Reducing your speed, even five miles per hour can improve your ability to react if something unexpected happens. It’s recommended that you keep a following distance of at least three to five seconds when it’s raining.
- Take care of your vehicle.
One of the most important parts of your car to pay attention to is your tire tread depth.
A good way to check is the penny test. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head when inserted in the tread, it’s time for new tires.
In addition to your tires, make sure your windshield wipers are working correctly. You should replace them every six to 12 months.
- Use your headlights.
You should use your headlights in the rain, even during the day, to improve your visibility to other vehicles on the road.
In fact, according to Florida Statute 316.217, motorists must use their headlights during rain, smoke, or fog, no matter the time of day.
- Don’t use cruise control.
We advise against using cruise control if it’s raining, as wet conditions require additional attention and control.
What to do After a Car Accident
Accidents still happen even if you take these precautions.
If you’re involved in a rain-related car accident, follow these steps:
- Document the accident.
- Seek medical attention.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
- Don’t talk about your case.
Our blog post details these four steps to protect yourself and your rights.
If you or someone you know was recently involved in a wet road car accident, contact us today and schedule your free case evaluation.
