Do You Know How to Handle Hydroplaning?
Even if rain is a distant memory, it is still a good time to discuss hydroplaning. Last month, the Nevada Highway Patrol caught a terrible hydroplane accident on its dash cam. The owner of the vehicle was reportedly going too fast for the wet road conditions. The vehicle went airborne and overturned. Below we will discuss hydroplaning and provide tips to avoid hydroplaning on Las Vegas roads.
We hope the below discussion helps you stay safe when you are driving on Nevada roads. If you are injured in a car accident, contact an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Anthem Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you win your personal injury case. Insurance companies are not motivated to pay you significant compensation. You need an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to fight for your rights. Our personal injury lawyers offer over 25 years of experience winning compensation in personal injury cases. Your choice of a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. We have the knowledge and expertise you need to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. It’s important to select a Las Vegas car accident lawyer who has a winning track record in cases like yours. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to schedule a free consultation.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning occurs as a result of water on the road that is deeper than the tire tread. This causes your tires to lose contact with the road. Hydroplaning can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. This loss of control can be a scary driving experience. It can also be dangerous and result in an accident.
Hydroplaning Causes
Hydroplaning can have many causes. The most common causes of hydroplaning include deep water, high speed, and lack of tire tread.
- Hydroplaning happens when your tires encounter water. This means that the more water on the roadway, the higher the risk of hydroplaning. However, even a small amount of water can cause hydroplaning. If you drive in Las Vegas, you should be especially cautious during heavy rainstorms.
- Did you know that you reduce traction when you increase speed on a wet surface? This means that the faster your car travels, the more you increase your chance of losing vehicle control.
- Tires are designed with tread to keep a car stable and safe in different road conditions. The tread patterns of a tire are designed to displace water so that the tire and the road maintain contact. Over time, tires get worn down. Worn tires are extremely dangerous. The less tread, the less likely you are to maintain contact with the road in wet conditions.
We hope the below discussion helps you lessen your chances of hydroplaning. We also understand that even the most cautious person can be injured in a Las Vegas area car accident. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of personal injury lawyers serving Las Vegas area residents. Now is not the time to go it alone – you need the knowledge and expertise that an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer provides. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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How to Lessen Your Chances of Hydroplaning
Now that you know the common causes of a hydroplaning accident, you may be wondering how you can avoid hydroplaning. Unfortunately, not all hydroplaning accidents are avoidable. However, you can take steps to lessen your chances of hydroplaning. You can do so by checking your tire tread, watching your speed, and not driving on wet roads.
Check Your Tire Tread
As you read above, worn tires and bald tires are extremely dangerous. You can lessen your chances of hydroplaning by checking your tire tread. How do you check your tire tread? The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association provides the following advice on tire tread:
- Once your tread wears down to 2/32nds of an inch, it’s time to visit your local tire shop.
- Take a few minutes each month to visually inspect your tires. Look for uneven wear, high and low areas, unusually smooth areas, and other signs of damage.
- Tires have built-in tread wear indicators or wear bars. When the tops of these bars are flush with the tire’s tread, the tire needs to be replaced.
- You can also do an easy tread test. Simply place a penny upside down into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re good to go. If you can see all of his head, it’s new tire time.
Watch Your Speed
Speeding is dangerous and can be deadly. In Nevada, speed accounts for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. Between 2015 and 2019, 512 people lost their lives in speeding-related crashes on Nevada roads. Speeding also increases your chances of hydroplaning. This is because you reduce traction when you increase speed on a wet surface.
Luckily, speeding is completely avoidable. You can avoid speeding by doing the following:
- Give yourself plenty of time.
- Stay calm in heavy traffic.
- Follow the law.
- Slow down during inclement weather.
Avoid Driving on Wet Roads
Hydroplaning happens when your tires encounter water. The more water on the road, the more likely you are to hydroplane. You can lessen your chances of hydroplaning by staying off wet roads. If you must drive, try to take routes where there will be the least amount of water.
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What to Do If You Hydroplane
Unfortunately, we may all experience hydroplaning. If you hydroplane, it is important that you do not panic. Stay calm. Panicking will only increase your chances of an accident. In addition to staying calm, you should remember to do the following:
- Avoid slamming on your brakes. Slamming on your brakes may cause you to further lose control of the vehicle.
- Ease your foot off the gas pedal. Acceleration can make the situation worse. Instead of slamming on your brakes, gradually taking your foot off of the gas pedal can help you slow down and regain control.
- Keep your hands steady on the steering wheel. Do not turn or jerk your steering wheel. Turning the steering wheel suddenly can throw your car into a skid. Instead, try to steer in the direction you want the car to go. Do so with a firm grip and small movements.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope the above discussion about hydroplaning helps you stay safe. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers understands that a car accident can injure the most cautious individual. If another person has injured you, it is important that you seek experienced legal representation. Time is of the essence. Get in touch with our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers today, so we can begin pursuing significant compensation for you. If you cannot visit our Las Vegas area office, we can come to you to discuss your personal injury case.
We have over 25 years of experience specializing in personal injury claims; exactly the level of experience you need to win your personal injury case. Do not wait; use the advantage of time to have us get started now pursuing your Las Vegas car accident case to a positive resolution for you. Now is the best time to schedule your appointment with us to discuss the details about your Las Vegas area accident. Have our personal injury lawyers examine the facts and learn about your case. We will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve as an accident victim. See why our Las Vegas lawyers give you the best opportunity to win significant compensation. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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