Hydroplane Car Accidents

South Florida is widely known for its late afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the summer. These storms often bring torrential downpours, leading to very wet conditions on the roads. Often, a heavy rainfall results in puddles forming on the surface of a road, especially when a street is uneven. This accumulation of water can lead a vehicle to hydroplane, or aquaplane, causing drivers to lose control. Hydroplane car accidents can result in serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and others on the road when a driver is no longer able to control the direction of their vehicle. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to making sure that victims are properly compensated so that they can not only deal with the physical recovery from their injuries but also withstand the consequences. Our firm offers seasoned legal representation to residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as elsewhere in South Florida. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hydroplane car accident, contact our office today to set up a free consultation to talk to an attorney about your legal rights and options.

Hydroplaning occurs when a significant amount of water builds up under a vehicle, causing it to skid or slide on a wet surface. Hydroplaning happens when tires encounter more water than they are able to scatter, causing them to lift up from the road and lose traction. The first 10 minutes of a light rain are actually the most dangerous time period leading to hydroplane accidents, since the water mixes with a road’s oil residue and creates a slippery surface. Drivers traveling over 35 miles per hour or going at other high speeds are more likely to experience hydroplaning. Other factors that can lead to a hydroplane accident include:

• Poorly designed roads or draining
• Inadequately maintained roads
• Poor tire maintenance, including lack of proper inflation or tread
• Drivers being unable to react in time because of distractions or other careless actions

Hydroplane accidents can cause significant, sometimes life-altering injuries to others involved, since vehicles may spin out of control and can hit other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Making sure that the proper parties are held liable for causing these injuries is important to aid victims in coping with their losses.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding a hydroplane accident, various parties may be responsible for the harm that results. Often, these collisions are due to a driver’s negligent acts. Negligence exists when an individual has breached their duty to other people around them to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under the circumstances, causing a victim’s injuries and resulting in damages. If a driver is traveling too fast given the weather conditions, and their vehicle hydroplanes, striking another vehicle, that driver may be found negligent. Even if only one vehicle was involved in a hydroplane crash, other parties may be liable for the injuries. For instance, a municipality or private party that has failed to maintain a roadway properly, causing potholes or other weather erosion that contributes to an unsafe gathering of water, may be held accountable. If liability is established, a victim may be awarded damages in the forms of past and future medical costs, loss of earning capacity and income, and pain and suffering.

If you have been injured in a hydroplane accident or another type of weather-related collision, the lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help you explore your legal options. We offer personalized and experienced legal services to victims and their families who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence. You can call 877.499.4878 or contact us online today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney about your potential case. We represent people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and the surrounding cities.