Wet Road Accidents

South Florida is no stranger to wet weather. However, some residents, as well as tourists, are inadequately prepared to deal with the effects of wet roads. This lack of preparedness, combined with other issues that come with wet roads, may lead to serious accidents and significant injuries. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help South Florida residents who have been hurt in crashes on wet roads seek compensation from those responsible.

Many road hazards may result from even a slight drizzle. Given the region’s tendency for much larger volumes of rainfall, these hazards increase. Puddles forming in potholes, as well as oil rising from the surface of a road, make driving after a storm all the more dangerous. The slippery surfaces that result after rain may affect the friction or grip that tires have when traveling. There are some simple steps that drivers may take to reduce the chances of their vehicles being involved in a wet road accident, including:

• Checking tires for wear and tear, and making sure that they are inflated properly;
• Ensuring that windshield wipers are working properly and replacing them when necessary;
• Traveling more slowly during stormy weather;
• Trying to avoid puddles while driving, if safely possible; and
• Traveling an extended distance behind other vehicles.

Visibility also becomes an issue during heavy rain. Decreased nighttime vision, combined with fog or other weather that affects drivers’ ability to see properly, may contribute to a wet road accident.

Drivers are required to adjust their speed and driving behavior according to weather conditions. When a driver fails to do so and causes an accident, they may be held responsible for any harm that results. If you have been injured in a crash that occurred during wet conditions, you may file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, alleging negligence. This may be established by a showing that the defendant’s actions constituted a breach of their duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would behave under similar circumstances. Drivers who are tailgating or speeding during a storm, for example, probably would be seen as acting unreasonably.

Once a breach is shown, a victim must also prove that their injuries were caused by the careless action and that quantifiable damages arose. Damages that may be available for injured victims include past and future medical expenses, lost earning capacity and income, and repairs to a vehicle, as well as compensation for pain and suffering and more subjective forms of harm.

If you have been hurt in a wet road accident involving a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages sustained. The Miami car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon offer experienced and dedicated representation to victims injured by careless drivers. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney and see how we can help. We represent accident victims in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.