Two recent accidents in Jones County are thought to have been caused by rainy weather. The first wreck involved two vehicles and injured two women. The second accident occurred when an SUV hit a tree, injuring the two people who were inside of the vehicle. People who were near the scene of the second accident heard it when it occurred and rushed to the scene in a golf cart to try and help. Unfortunately, the golf cart ended up going off of the road near the accident scene, but the passengers were not hurt.
Rain increases the risk of car accidents in two ways. When it is raining, visibility is reduced, and drivers cannot see well enough to drive safely. Also, road surfaces can become slippery when they are wet, which increases the risk that a driver will lose control of their vehicle. Some road surfaces even accumulate water on the surface, creating the risk of hydroplaning.
When it is raining, or the road is wet, drivers can do a few things to decrease their accident risk. Driving slower than you would drive on dry roads gives you more time to see vehicles, signs, and other things, thereby increasing visibility a little during a time when the weather is working against your ability to see things. Driving slower can also reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Remember that stopping a car on a wet surface requires more distance, so leave yourself plenty of space when you need to stop. Also, leave lots of room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you so that you have more time to react to that vehicle’s movements.
As the weather gets colder, rainy weather can give way to sleet, snow, and ice that can make the roads even more slippery than rain can. Accidents caused by winter weather can be disastrous, whether it is a single car sliding off of the roadway or multiple vehicles piling on to each other when they cannot stop due to ice on the road. Use similar safe driving techniques in the winter as you would for driving in the rain. Also, when the weather is particularly severe, be sure to evaluate whether you need to make that trip. Sometimes, staying at home in a winter storm is the best way to stay safe.
Barrett Law PLLC: Serving Accident Victims Across Mississippi
Sometimes, a driver cannot avoid a weather-related automobile wreck no matter how careful they are. If you got hurt in a car crash, contact a knowledgeable Mississippi Automobile Accident attorney right away. Your attorney can help you to pursue a claim for financial compensation for your injuries while you focus on healing. The Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you. Please call us at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.