Arizona rainfall can create major driving problems. Slowing down and driving more carefully during rain storms, whether it’s a light drizzle or a heavy downpour, can save your life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car crashes during rain storms claim about 35,000 lives a year, making them one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Driving on a wet road is hazardous for many reasons:
- The driver’s visibility decreases
- Vehicles’ traction decreases
- Risk of accident, specifically those causing injury or death, increases substantially
According to a study published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, the risk of a fatal car crash increases when rain is falling, even if it’s only light precipitation. Driving in a light drizzle, the risk of a fatal crash increases by 27 percent, and with heavier rainfall, the risk more than doubles.
Many drivers drive too fast for road conditions, ignoring wet roads and increasing everyone’s risk of accident when driving during rain storms. Drivers may need a longer reaction time in order to break to avoid an accident because their vehicles traction has decreased. When driving at higher speeds, drivers do not have this luxury, which sets the stage for more accidents.
If you are injured in a car accident that happened during rainfall or on wet pavement, it is important that you know your rights and how to proceed. You should get the necessary medical attention you need and contact an attorney who can help you file the appropriate claim and negotiate with your insurance company to ensure your costs are covered.
Have you been in a car accident in Arizona? Schedule a free consultation with with Vrana Law Firm. Fill out the form below to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
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