When a car slides, usually on a wet surface, it is called hydroplaning. While hydroplaning can occur on any wet surface, the most dangerous time is within 10 minutes of the rain beginning. The cause of hydroplaning is when the tires encounter more water than it can effectively scatter. Pressure from the water in front of the tire causes the water to slide under the tire, separating it from the surface of the road, causing loss of control. Steering, power control, and braking are all affected when hydroplaning occurs. Keeping your tires properly inflated and in good condition can help to prevent hydroplaning.
News 4 Jax reports on a mother who is asking for safety upgrades after her daughter was injured in a hydroplaning crash.
20-year-old Gabbriella Manges of Green Cove Springs was critically injured in a crash as she was attempting to merge onto Interstate 295. The crash occurred on June 13th just after it had started raining at the on-ramp from U.S. 17 where drivers merge onto Buckman Bridge.
According to Manges’ mother, she hydroplaned at the end of the on-ramp and wound up in oncoming traffic on I-295. Manges suffered from a shattered jaw along with other serious injuries.
It is the fourth traffic accident at that intersection in the past month. Figures from the Florida Department of Transportation indicate that between 2012 and 2016, there were 24 crashes reported at that ramp. Of those, 20 had wet pavement as a factor in the accidents.
As a result of those figures, the Florida DOT will be putting in high friction pavement in the hopes that it will reduce the number of hydroplaning crashes. There is no timetable for the project.
Manges’ mother would also like to see a guardrail installed at the end of the on-ramp.
The Epidemic of Driver Distraction and its Effects on Crashes On Tuesday, December 13th, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for the first ever nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. If approved, this would include the use of cell phones and text messaging from all devices while driving. Although different states have certain cell phone laws prohibiting handheld devices for all age...
In a Car Accident in Florida with No Insurance The state of Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. This means that in the event of a motor vehicle accident, each driver’s own insurance policy is responsible for paying damages to the policyholder, regardless of fault. For persons involved in an accident without car insurance, knowing what to do can be frustrating. If you’ve...
Never Sign Anything Given to You by an Insurance Adjuster After a Florida Car Wreck Insurance companies put up a good facade. After you are injured in a Florida car wreck, they will say they are on your side. They say they have the best interest of your family in mind and will be fair in giving you the financial compensation you need. However, when the time arrives for this...
The Financial Responsibility Law in Florida Anytime you go out on the road, you are at risk for an accident. In Florida, car accidents happen more frequently than almost any other place in the United States. It is important that you know how to protect yourself and what you need to do if you get in any kind of accident...
How To Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Miami If you were in a car accident in Miami, you could use information from the police report to support your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You may obtain a crash report for your car accident by filling out an online form, obtaining the report in person, or sending a request by mail. Learn how...
How to Report a Hit and Run in Plantation The simplest way to report a hit-and-run accident in Plantation, FL, is to call the police to the accident scene. In addition to being mandatory per state law to file a police report following a hit and run, the insurance company will require a police report if you file a claim for financial compensation. It...
How To Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Tampa Car accidents can cause serious physical and financial harm, and you may need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover your losses. If your crash was caused by another person’s negligence, a police report can help substantiate your claim for damages. Learn how to get a police report for a car...
Most Dangerous Highways in Florida The three most dangerous highways in Florida are reportedly Interstate 4, Interstate 95, and U.S. Route 1. These roads are dangerous because they are the sites of many fatal crashes. They all have high traffic volumes as throngs of vehicles travel across them daily. Those involved in accidents on Florida’s highways can seek compensation for...