Hydroplaning is common during the rainy season in Minnesota, so drivers will want to consider the following tips to reduce their risks. When wheels encounter more water on the road than they can handle, the pressure in the front of the tires pushes the water underneath and lifts the vehicle up on a thin layer of the water. The thicker that layer becomes, the more the tires lose traction.
The vehicle can then slide or skid uncontrollably, potentially causing a serious crash. This is why drivers should slow down and avoid large puddles when in the rain. They should be especially cautious during the first 10 minutes of rainfall, as this is the time when the water and the oily residues on the road mix together to create a slippery surface. Afterward, the rain will wash away most of the residue.
Not all of the residue will be washed away, though. In the event that drivers hydroplane, they should remember first of all to never apply the brakes. Doing so will only cause the car to lose more control. Drivers should, without oversteering, turn in the same direction that the rear is heading and wait for the car to realign itself. Once it does, they will find that they have regained control.
When a car accident is caused by hydroplaning, a victim can see a lawyer about filing a personal injury claim. To file, they must prove that the at-fault party was more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. The degree to which they themselves were to blame will naturally lower the amount of damages they may receive, but a lawyer can negotiate for the maximum amount possible. If the auto insurance company denies the claim, legal counsel can prepare for a trial.