How Rain Affects Car Accidents in Washington State

Everyone who drives in Washington State needs to anticipate wet weather driving conditions. Many days of the year, the clouds cause drizzles and slight showers. There are also a lot of days when it rains so hard you can barely see. Everyone should know that driving in the rain is dangerous, but not everyone takes the necessary precautions to control their vehicle so accidents will not occur. Drivers who fail to drive safely in the rain should be held liable for any car accidents they cause.

How dangerous are weather-related events like wet pavements and rain?

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, there are nearly six million vehicle crashes each year. About one in five of these accidents is due to the weather. Weather-related crashes are due to rain, snow, fog, sleet, crosswinds, or blowing snow, sand, and debris. Many of these weather-related crashes occur because the roads are wet, slushy, or icy. Between 2007 and 2016, nearly 5,000 people died and 418,000 were injured each year due to weather-related accidents.

Approximately 70% of weather-related car crashes are due to wet pavement, and 46% occurred when rain was falling.

Why do rain and wet roads make driving so dangerous?

Wet highways, roads, and streets are dangerous for many reasons – while the rain is falling and while the roads are still wet after the rain has ended. Rain and wet asphalt and pavement affect:

• A driver’s vision. The ability to see in front of a car, behind the car, and to the sides is greatly diminished the harder the rain falls.
• Road friction. Rain, even light rain, can mix with the road’s oil, creating slick and dangerous conditions, causing the car to have less traction with the road.
• The ability to stop. Drivers must understand they need more distance between their car and other vehicles to stop safely. Tires simply do not grip wet roads as well as dry roads. Reaction times are slower because drivers are trying to see through the rain, and they need more time to stop. Car operators may also need to pump their brakes so the brakes don’t get wet.
• Traffic flow. As the rain pours, other drivers are likely to slow down. Many motorists will drive slower than speed limit. Drivers need to adjust their speed to match the speed of the other vehicles.

One severe danger when it rains is hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a water layer builds between the car’s tires and the road surface, causing the car to lose traction. When hydroplaning occurs, applying the brakes or slowing down will not help. The driver needs to slow down before the hydroplaning occurs.

If the weather is cold, the rainwater can turn to ice, making the roads even more treacherous and making it difficult to use your windshield wipers.

What steps can drivers take to reduce the risk of an accident in the rain?

Drivers need to be prepared to drive in the rain. Common safety precautions motorists can take include:

• Inspect your tires. Drivers and car owners should inspect the tire pressure and treads to ensure the tires can grab the road when the driver presses on the brake.
• Inspect your lights and windshield wipers. These car parts must work during the rain. Defective wipers and lights can cause car accidents. Wipers and lights that need maintenance should be taken off the road until the repairs are made.
• Drive slowly. The combination of reduced visibility, slower traffic conditions, and difficulty braking require that drivers drive according to the weather conditions.
• Leave more space between you and other cars. Be sure to leave enough space between you and other cars so that you have enough stopping distance. If a car is tailgating you, consider moving into a slower traffic lane.
• Use your windshield wipers at the correct speed. Wipers normally work faster in heavy rain and slower when it is just drizzling. Most wipers have different speed settings.
• Turn your lights on. Lights help you see other vehicles and the traffic conditions around you. Other drivers need to see your lights so they know where your car is in relation to their car.
• Consider driving in a lower gear. Driving in a lower gear helps give the driver better control of their vehicle.
• Avoid high water levels. Drivers should drive around standing water instead of through the water because the water can affect the reliability of the brakes as well as other dangers.
• Turn off your cruise control. Drivers need to have their hands on the steering wheel ready to slow down or stop when it rains.

Who is responsible for car accidents when it rains?

The drivers of a car have the primary responsibility for controlling their vehicle. This includes prepping the car and driving more cautiously when it rains. If the rain is coming down too strong, drivers need to get off the road until it is safe to drive.

The owners of the car are normally also liable for any wet-weather accidents, provided the owners gave the driver permission to use their vehicle.

A governmental entity such as the Washington Department of Transportation may also be liable if they fail to monitor severe wet weather conditions by closing roads when it is unsafe.

A car parts manufacturer may be liable if the brakes, wipers, or lights are defective.

In some cases, a driver can assert an Act of God defense. For this defense to apply, the rain must have come down suddenly and without warning and the driver must have been incapable of responding to the wet weather conditions. In most wet-weather car accidents, however, the Act of God defense is not viable.

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA car accident lawyers work aggressively to determine the cause of your accident. We often work with the police and our investigators. We also conduct discovery of everyone involved in the accident. Our lawyers demand compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and we demand special compensation for the death of a loved one.

To assert your rights to hold careless drivers liable, call our offices in Vancouver or Battle Ground, WA at 360-695-3309 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment. We represent car accident and weather-related accident victims on a contingency fee basis.