Although we here in Bucks County have been lucky enough not to be affected by the recent string of hurricanes, we shouldn’t let our guard down just yet. More hurricanes have been predicted for this season and they could potentially affect Pennsylvania. Just in case you get stuck driving during a hurricane, our Bucks County car accident lawyer recommends brushing up on these tips for safely operating your vehicle in high winds and heavy rain:
- If visibility is bad, pull over. In rainy conditions, it can be hard to see out of your windshield even with your wipers set to the highest speed. If visibility is reduced to the point where you can’t clearly see the road in front of you, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.
- Maintain a safe following distance. When driving in a storm, you should increase your following distance to 5-6 seconds. This way, you’ll have ample time and space to stop if someone in front of you starts to hydroplane or slams on the brakes.
- Never drive on flooded roads. As the saying goes, “turn around, don’t drown.” If you encounter a flooded street, even if the water appears to be only a few inches deep, opt for another route that doesn’t involve waterlogged roads. And remember, walking in floodwaters is dangerous, too, so you should not attempt it unless absolutely necessary.
- Keep your eyes peeled for wires. The severe winds associated with hurricanes tend to take out power lines. So if you’re driving during or after a storm, look out for hanging wires. If you see one, stay in your car and report it to the local fire department. Never try to move a power line out of the roadway yourself, as it may still be electrically charged.
- Avoid bridges & overpasses. If possible, our car accident lawyer in Bucks County recommends steering clear of bridges and overpasses during a severe storm or hurricane since these areas tend to get the strongest wind gusts.
If you have no choice but to drive during a hurricane, these tips will help you to avoid collisions and other hazards.
Inclement Weather Car Crash? We’ll Fight for Your Rights
Unfortunately, not everyone exercises caution when driving in severe weather and accidents can happen even when you make every effort to drive safely. If you are injured due to another driver’s negligence, seek legal representation from Attorney Gary P. Heslin of the Heslin Law Firm. As the car accident attorney Bucks County has depended on for more than three decades, Mr. Heslin will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
To set up a free consultation, contact us today. And for more free and useful information from our car accident attorney in Bucks County, read this blog post on what to know about hotel accidents. We sincerely look forward to helping you seek justice in the event that you are the victim of a car crash this autumn.