Personal Injury | December 14, 2021 by JOSHUA D. ANDERSON
Accidents in the Rain in Washington State
Rain is essential to our environment and our lives in general – but with rain also comes an increased risk of road accidents. Rain has been and continues to be the cause of thousands of automobile accidents across the country, and more so here in the State of Washington due to our heavy rainfall.
Regardless of where you are, driving in the rain can lead to crashes and serious injuries. Even if you are as careful as possible, other drivers might not be, and they might cause serious accidents. Discuss what happened in your crash with a Bonney Lake, Wa car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Reasons Why Accidents Occur in the Rain
The number one reason why auto accidents occur in the rain is simply that many drivers do not take steps to safely drive in the rain or during bad weather conditions. These types of drivers can be placed in two groups:
- Drivers significantly increase the risk of causing an accident because they become excessively timid when driving in the rain. Driving while scared or nervous can lead to mistakes or slower reactions to emergency situations.
- Overly-confident drivers believe it is unnecessary for them to slow down or use extra caution in rainy situations. These drivers often lose control due to speeding or dangerous lane changes, which can result in a crash.
Both types of drivers pose a risk to other drivers on the road. The excessively timid driver often overestimates the danger of driving in the rain or weather conditions and, therefore, drives at unreasonably low speeds in the false belief that is the only way to safely drive through the rain. Driving slowly to the extreme can actually increase the chances of an accident occurring, often rear-end collisions.
The reckless driver is always a danger on the road, but especially in rainy conditions. These types of drivers often ignore or pay no attention to the rain or bad weather and drive at full highway speed or even faster, not caring that the visibility is low or that the roads are wet from the rain. This can result in chaotic accidents when a driver loses complete control of the vehicle and cannot steer or stop due to hydroplaning.
Rain can make it more challenging to stay on a roadway, to stop, or to avoid crashing onto another vehicle. When the road gets wet for the first time, oil rises to the surface and creates a greasy surface which makes the road slippery. A slippery road often makes it difficult to stop without skidding or hitting another vehicle if you are not driving at the right speed to safely slow down.
Speak with a Bonney Lake Auto Accident Attorney Today
While rain can make for dangerous road conditions, it is often the actions of other drivers that result in crashes in the rain. If you have been injured in an accident, contact our law office for a free case evaluation. The right car accident lawyer can assess your rights and who might be responsible for your injuries and losses.
The information contained on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing in this website establishes an attorney-client relationship between us. Different facts can dramatically affect a legal opinion. You should consult an attorney for legal advice that pertains to your personal situation.
Joshua D. Anderson
Attorney Joshua D. Anderson grew up in Enumclaw, Washington with a close-knit family who instilled in him the values of faith, family, and hard work. Since a young age, Josh knew he wanted to be an attorney so he could advocate for others and always knew his focus would be personal injury. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of San Diego and graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law. While pursuing his degree, Josh served as an extern for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.
