Are you at fault if you hydroplane?

Are you at fault if you hydroplane?

In most cases, the driver who caused an accident while hydroplaning is at fault. While some vehicle collisions are caused by a lack of visibility due to pouring rain or blinding snow, many foul weather accidents are caused by hydroplaning.

Does insurance cover hydroplane accident?

Does auto insurance cover hydroplane accidents? Depending on your policy, your auto insurance may cover hydroplane accidents. If you get into an accident due to your car hydroplaning, collision coverage would cover damage to your vehicle.

Who is at fault for weather related accidents?

The weather event was a known event, not an unexpected occurrence. The driver could have taken action to avoid the accident. In most instances of weather-related crashes, the driver who is at fault can be held liable, because there are actions the driver could have taken to prevent the crash.

How long can an insurance company hold an accident against you?

But an accident doesn’t affect your insurance rates forever. Insurance companies generally only look at the last three to five years of your driving history when calculating your premiums, so if you’ve managed to drive accident-free for long enough, your past incidents may not matter anymore.

What does it feel like when you hydroplane?

Behind the wheel, hydroplaning feels like the vehicle is floating or veering in a direction on its own. When this happens you’ve lost braking and steering control. If your drive wheels hydroplane, there might be an increase in your speedometer and engine RPMs (revolutions per minute) as your tires begin to spin.

How many accidents are caused by hydroplaning?

Estimates also indicate that as many as one out of every four traffic accident deaths and 445,000 injuries each year are the result of crashes in some type of inclement weather. Of those deaths and injuries related to weather, 46% occurred during rainfall, and fully 73% occurred on wet roads.

Does hydroplaning raise your insurance?

You will likely be surcharged for this accident and your premiums will increase. the insurance company will likely conclude that you were either traveling too fast for the driving conditions or you were following the car in front of you too closely…

Can a car hydroplane at 30 mph?

The biggest factor you can control is vehicle speed. Hydroplaning can occur at even 30 mph, but as your speed increases to 50 mph and above on a wet surface, the risk of hydroplaning increases rapidly.

How many accidents are caused by weather?

There are more than 1,200,000 car accidents caused by weather conditions every year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Does rain cause car accidents?

Rain and wet roads cause more car accidents and injuries than snow, sleet or fog. A study based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement (73 percent) and when it rains (46 percent).

Who is responsible for a hydroplane car accident?

As always, that depends. Since poor tire maintenance is a big cause of hydroplaning, the person responsible for the upkeep of the tires can be blamed in an accident. A car with worn tires is much more likely to hydroplane than a car with fresh tires and deep treads.

What happens to your tires when you hydroplane?

Usually, your tires can disperse moisture on the road and maintain control, but sometimes, the amount of water is too much for the tires to clear. Your tire treads have filled up with water when you hydroplane.

Is it dangerous to drive in heavy rain?

Driving in heavy rains is dangerous; that much we all know. However, more dangerous yet is the increased potential for car accidents. When visability is low and the roads are slick, crashes are bound to occur. In fact, rain causes more wrecks than snow and ice.

What happens when you hit a water puddle in your car?

Hitting a water puddle while on the road can send your car skidding out of control in something called hydroplaning. Hydroplaning in your car happens when your car loses contact with the surface of the road, and your tires cannot grab onto anything for traction.