5 Ways to Prevent Missouri Car Accidents in the Rain
April showers are currently hitting Missouri, with more precipitation expected in the months to come. For example, St. Joseph receives the most rainfall from May through September, typically peaking in June. To help you avoid Missouri car accidents in the rain, the St. Joseph injury lawyers at Patterson Legal Group share five tips to stay safe when the roads are wet.
Follow These Tips to Avoid Missouri Car Accidents in the Rain
Our Missouri car wreck lawyers have represented many clients who were injured in weather-related accidents. A large number of these accidents were caused or exacerbated by rainy weather. While none of us can control the weather, there are a number of simple things that you can do that will greatly increase your safety while you’re driving in the rain.
Prepare for Summer Driving Early
There are a number of things that you should do to get your car ready for summer driving. These include making sure that your tires are rotated and their treads are in shape for the months ahead, as well as replacing your windshield wipers. Doing so will help make sure that your tires have optimal grip during the rain and that your visibility isn’t limited by precipitation. Taking these preventative measures early will also help you with rainy day driving.
Reduce Your Speed
When it’s raining outside, it’s a good idea to drive slower than you normally would. Wet roads mean less traction, which can make it more difficult to steer and slow down. Having maximum control of your vehicle increases your safety. Yes, it also means that you’ll likely get to your destination a bit later, but that’s much better than getting injured due to Missouri car accidents in the rain.
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Increase Your Following Distance
Wet roads can make sudden stops treacherous, due to reduced traction and the potential for hydroplaning. Allow more following distance than you would during dry conditions. This will allow you more time to adjust to changing road conditions and help you avoid rear-end collisions. This is especially important if you’re driving around trucks, which are massive, have less maneuverability, and take longer to slow down.
Turn On Your Headlights
If you drive an older vehicle that doesn’t have daytime running lights or lights that automatically activate when it’s raining, then it’s important to manually turn on your headlights during the rain. Not only will it improve your visibility and help you avoid Missouri car accidents in the rain, but it will also make your automobile more visible to other motorists.
Limit Your Use of Cruise Control and Other Driver-Assist Features
Whether you’re accustomed to using Chevy Super Cruise, GM Bluecruise, Tesla Autopilot, or standard cruise control, it’s a good idea to turn these features off or limit their use during the rain. While these autonomous driving features are fantastically convenient, they’re not yet great at identifying things like large puddles or patches of slick roads. Maintaining control of your car manually will help you avoid a hydroplaning accident that our current autonomous driving systems cannot account for.
Contact a Top Missouri Car Crash Lawyer Near Me
The Missouri injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group hope that these five tips have given you a better understanding of how to prevent Missouri car accidents in the rain. Please share them with your friends and family to help more people stay safe during upcoming storms. If you’ve been hurt in a rainy day car wreck, then contact us for immediate assistance. Our team will connect you with top medical professionals that specialize in your particular injury and start building an injury claim designed to win you the highest settlement possible.
You can reach Patterson Legal Group by phone at (816) 920-0000 and online through our encrypted contact form or connecting with our LiveChat representatives. Patterson Legal Group has helped injury victims throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma receive fair and full settlements from insurance companies. Our team of experienced and accomplished trial lawyers has recovered more than $250-million in settlements for thousands of injury victims over the last 25 years. To get the compensation and service that you’re entitled to, contact us today.
