Hydroplaning and Assessing Accident Fault

Pennsylvania’s unpredictable weather, particularly during rainy seasons, can create hazardous road conditions. One significant risk for drivers is hydroplaning, a frightening situation that occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road due to water buildup, leading to a loss of control.

A seasoned Bucks County personal injury attorney can help you connect with damage recovery after a hydroplaning accident.

What Is Hydroplaning and Assessing Fault After an Accident

Hydroplaning is when a vehicle’s tires encounter more water than the treads of the tire can disperse, causing a thin layer of water to form between the tires and the road surface. Because of this water layer, there is a loss of traction, leading to less steering control and an education in brake efficiency. While a driver can often feel it occurring and adjust their driving, there are other situations in which drivers completely lose control of their vehicles and collide with other vehicles, stationary objects, or other hazards.

Determining fault in hydroplaning accidents can be complicated because there are often several factors involved, including one or more of the following.

• The weather conditions at the time of the accident plays a significant role in hydroplaning accidents as heavy rainfall and flooded roadways are typically what make hydroplaning events possible.
• Reckless driving. Because drivers have a responsibility to adjust to weather conditions, speeding during inclement weather or participating in other reckless driving behaviors during a heavy rain may lead to the driver carrying a level of fault for a hydroplaning collision.
• Road maintenance. In some cases, poorly maintained roads such as roadways with inadequate drainage systems, can contribute to hydroplaning accidents. When there is proof that the condition of the road was a significant factor in a vehicular accident, liability may extend beyond the drivers involved.

Pennsylvania follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which means that more than one party can carry fault. If it is determined that multiple parties contributed to the hydroplaning accident, the percentage of fault assigned to each party will impact compensation options.

Investigation and Evidence Collection

As soon as you make the decision to work with a Bucks County personal injury attorney, they will begin to conduct a comprehensive investigation. This will include gathering witness statements, surveillance footage, weather reports, and any other relevant evidence to reconstruct the events leading to the hydroplaning crash you were involved in.

Your attorney will analyze the gathered evidence to build a strong case and establish liability, including identifying and holding responsible parties accountable for their negligent actions, and if a fair settlement is not possible through the negotiation process, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.

Was heavy rain to blame for your auto accident? Wet weather can lead to hydroplaning accidents, which can be harrowing experiences that lead to serious injuries and complex legal scenarios. To have the details of your situation addressed by a professional, connect with the legal team at Kevin L. Hand, P.C. Call 215-968-6602 to schedule your consultation today.