By Pendergast Law on February 13, 2016
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries when the car she was driving tipped over into the Port Washington Narrows waters. The car accident occurred near the 3500 block of Tracyton Beach Road NW north of NW Carter Farms Court in Tracyton. Officials say the road was slippery in that area, but they aren’t sure what caused the vehicle to enter the water and turn over. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle, which was completely submerged. Firefighters detected a heartbeat and resuscitated the driver.
Slippery roadways are a common cause of Washington car accidents. It rains about three times a week in the Seattle area. So, it is important to know how to drive in wet conditions.
Here are five tips to drive safely in the rain:
- Make adjustments to your driving. We often drive a certain way out of habit. When it starts raining, we must sharpen our focus and adjust to the conditions.
- Turn off your cruise control. If you begin to hydroplane while on cruise control, your vehicle will accelerate beyond the set speed. Turn it off and stay in tune with the roadway.
- Slow down. Speed limits are designed for ideal conditions. If it is a particularly wet day with limited visibility, travel at a speed that is safe, given the roadway, traffic and weather conditions. Do not attempt to reach the speed limit.
- Turn on your headlights. As a rule, it is a good idea to have your headlights on whenever you have to use your windshield wipers.
- Beware of hydroplaning. This can happen in as little as one inch of water. While hydroplaning, let off the accelerator and steer straight until you regain control.
If you have lost a loved one in a weather-related car accident, it may be in your best interest to speak with a Seattle car accident attorney. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, support may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages and other related damages.
Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Contact us at 888-539-9211.