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Why you May be Liable for a Crash on a Wet Road

Who’s liable after a crash is often a question many people debate about. This question seems even more confusing when the crash is on a wet road. When you think about it, a wet road seems like a plausible excuse for an accident. But motorists are advised to drive more carefully on a wet road because it is more difficult to control the vehicle. As a result, if a driver fails to change the way they drive, thereby hitting your motorcycle, such driver is liable for any cost associated with the accident. Keep reading to learn more about common scenarios where a driver is liable for an accident on a wet road.

Overspeeding

When the roads are wet, drivers are advised to travel at reduced speed. Because wet roads are slippery, driving fast on them could result in an accident as the driver may lose control of the vehicle. If you are hit by a driver overspeeding on a wet road, you should contact our experienced Edwardsville motorcycle accident law firm to help you through the litigation process and get the compensation you're entitled to.

A wet road is not an admissible excuse in court for crashing into another vehicle. Drivers are expected to be discreet about the speed at which they travel on wet roads. There are no standards on how fast you are to travel, but depending on how wet the conditions are, drivers should reduce their speed progressively.

Faulty Wipers

It is essential to have a functioning wiper when driving in rainy weather. It helps to remove rain, snow, dirt, and other debris from the windshield that may impair visibility. If a driver is involved in an accident due to impaired visibility because of a faulty wiper, such driver will be held liable for the damages.

Also, your wiper should have the right wiper fluid so you can easily get your windscreen clean while driving. You shouldn’t wait till your wiper stops functioning before you change it. Always inspect it at regular intervals to ensure all its components are functioning properly. If your wiper produces a screeching notice when you use it, then it's probably time to consider a replacement.

Tailgating

Driving too closely to a vehicle or motorcycle on a wet road or rainy day is dangerous and can lead to an accident. When a driver drives too closely to another vehicle or tailgates, it gives them a very small reaction time if there's ever a need to stop. Moreover, with the roads being slippery, the chances of a collision when tailgating are high. As such, when there is a collision on a wet road due to tailgating, the driver tailgating is often held liable.

Tailgating on a wet road can lead to several kinds of accidents that may involve you replacing the other driver’s damaged bumper, tail lights, broken back windscreen, and so on. To avoid being liable for damage you may cause for tailgating, ensure you give a safe distance. A rule of thumb is to give more space when traveling at high speed to give you enough time to stop safely.

Poor Tire Conditions

As a safety measure, drivers are to ensure their vehicle tires are in good condition. According to the US Department of Transportation NHTSA, drivers should constantly inspect the threads and deep lines in their tires, as this is responsible for the traction of the tires. When the grooves in the tire are worn out, the tires won't work properly in siphoning the water away from the tire surface, causing the vehicle to skim across a thin layer of water. When this happens, the vehicle will likely skid across the road, causing an accident for which the driver will be liable.

Additionally, drivers should take note of the expiration date on their tires. Most tires have an expected lifespan of three to five years or 60,000 to 75,000 miles, whichever comes first. Stretching a tire past its lifespan increases your chance of encountering issues such as poor traction, tire bursting while driving, and so on.

Defective Brakes

Additionally, drivers are to ensure that the several components of the braking system that work together to stop the car are all in optimal condition. When the vehicle's braking system is defective, it inhibits a driver's ability to slow or stop the vehicle, especially on a wet road, which can help stop an incident or accident. A driver cannot deny liability for an accident due to a loose braking system.

As such, drivers are expected by law to take their vehicle’s braking system seriously. For instance, brake pads and brake lines often get worn out, and as such drivers should inspect them regularly. Furthermore, the calipers, master cylinder, rotor, brake fluids, drums, and brake shoes should not be neglected.