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Hydroplaning can lead to Dangerous Philadelphia Area Auto Accidents

You may know what hydroplaning is, but it is difficult to understand just how dangerous it is until you experience it for yourself. Bucks County personal injury lawyer, Michael L. Saile, Jr., explains that hydroplaning is a phenomenon which occurs when rain water in front of your car tires builds up faster than your tires can push it out of the way. The resulting water pressure usually causes your car to slide on top of a thin layer of water between your tires and the road, which is comparable to driving on a sheet of ice. Hydroplaning can occur within a matter of seconds, and can make your car almost completely uncontrollable, without traction from the road surface, which may leave you at a higher risk for a Bucks County auto accident.

The following factors seem to make hydroplaning more likely:

• Speed: Traction is reduced as speed increases on wet roadways. This means travelling at higher speeds makes it more likely that your car will end up hydroplaning at some point.

• Tire Wear: The older or more worn-down your tires, the more their ability to resist hydroplaning is reduced.

• Water Depth: The more water there is on the road, the easier it will be for your tires to lose traction and for your car to begin hydroplaning.

Rain, as with most types of inclement weather, results in more dangerous driving conditions than normal. The possibility of hydroplaning is one of the reasons that rainy days are so dangerous for Bucks County drivers. It is said that hydroplaning is comparable to driving on ice, because of the complete loss of traction. Hydroplaning also makes it very difficult to brake or steer; trying to do so may send your car completely out of control. It is easy to see why this kind of phenomenon can lead to Bucks County auto accidents, since it is uncontrollable and almost impossible to prevent.

Some precautions against hydroplaning in the Philadelphia area include keeping your tires up to date and inflated correctly. You should also adjust your driving style in the rain: drive slower than you normally would and take more time when braking and turning. If you find yourself hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas pedal and avoid braking or turning suddenly, to avoid losing complete control of your car.

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania auto accident related to inclement weather, contact the local Bucks County personal injury lawyers at Saile & Saile LLP to move forward with your personal injury claim. We offer a FREE consultation and a wealth of legal advice in our FREE PA Car Accident Book.

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