Highly Experienced Erie, Pennsylvania, Hydroplaning Car Accident Lawyers

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Veteran Attorneys will Litigate Unwaveringly to Demand the Maximum Damages for Your Hydroplaning Collision in Erie, Pennsylvania, Throughout the Commonwealth, and Beyond.

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Some of the most severe car accidents tend to happen when it rains. One of the main reasons behind collisions on rainy days is hydroplaning. Even the thinnest layer of water on the road can decrease the traction of the tire treads and cause sliding. This significantly increases the risk of a vehicle losing contact with the road surface, which is commonly referred to as hydroplaning or aquaplaning. It is not hard to imagine the damage that a large truck or SUV could inflict as it wildly skids across the road surface, especially when traveling at high speeds on a highway. Once a motorist starts aquaplaning, it may be nearly impossible for him or her to stop, slow down, or even regain control. As a result, hydroplaning frequently causes the sliding car to smash into other vehicles, crash into objects, or run off the road.

Weather conditions can change incredibly fast, and heavy rain can easily result in water buildup. When roadway surfaces do not drain properly, hydroplaning can become extremely problematic, especially on curvy and sloped roads. The risk of aquaplaning drastically increases when the depth of water on the pavement exceeds the drainage capacity and the tread of a vehicle’s tires. Within a few minutes of rainfall, as the water mixes with oil residue and grease deposits, vehicles are in the greatest danger of sliding. Regardless of the road conditions, every motorist has a legal duty to exercise reasonable caution. Therefore, it is important to slow down when the roads are wet and try to avoid standing water.

If you suffered severe injuries in an accident involving a hydroplaning vehicle, please do not hesitate to reach out to the battle-tested collision lawyers at Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Liability is not always straightforward in these types of accidents. You will likely need to retain a highly qualified lawyer to get the full compensation that you deserve. Throughout the years, our seasoned attorneys have successfully litigated thousands of crash claims, including many hydroplaning collisions. The Dietrich Legal Team’s Erie, Pennsylvania lawyers promise to fight for the best result and hold those responsible liable. Negligent drivers and their insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to resolve his client’s cases. Our leading litigators are available anytime, day or night, at 814-839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form. You have absolutely no risks and no obligations upon meeting with our compassionate team for your confidential consultation!

Factors That Commonly Contribute to Hydroplaning Crashes

Hydroplaning is among the main causes of car accidents in Erie, Pennsylvania. Anytime enough water gets underneath your tires, it could lift them and reduce the friction enough to cause your car to skid violently. The most effective way to minimize your risk of crashing is to slow down when you begin to slide. Additionally, being aware of elements that frequently play a role in aquaplaning accidents can help protect you and your loved ones. Some of the most prevalent enabling factors in hydroplaning collisions include:

1. Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions;
2. Distracted driving;
3. Driving while seriously sleep-deprived;
4. Aggressive driving or road rage;
5. Faulty tires;
6. Driving while intoxicated;
7. Weaving in and out of traffic or unsafe lane changes;
8. Worn or defective tire treads;
9. Inadequate air pressure in tires; and
10. Substandard roadways.

While hydroplaning collisions often happen for various reasons, most involve negligence. When combined with heavy rainfall or wet roads, any of the above elements could easily cause a driver to lose control. Consequently, many inexperienced car accident attorneys never even consider hydroplaning as a cause of the accident. Since aquaplaning often goes overlooked and, therefore, uninvestigated, other factors are commonly blamed for causing these types of collisions.

Investigating Your Aquaplaning Car Accident

After your hydroplaning collision, you probably have numerous questions. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested attorneys know that there are several factors required to determine whether aquaplaning occurred, such as the speed of the vehicle, tire pressure, tire tread, water depth, and the width of the water at the time of the accident. Upon retaining Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his seasoned team, we will carry out the following:

1. Launch a prompt investigation of your crash;
2. Go to the scene to conduct an assessment of the roadway during wet or rainy weather;
3. Perform a full hydroplaning analysis;
4. Discuss the road conditions with a hydroplaning expert;
5. Examine the tires on your vehicle;
6. Gather as much evidence as possible;
7. Have our accident reconstruction experts recreate the accident;
8. Track down and interview all potential witnesses;
9. Collaborate with our close contacts in the Erie Police Department; and
10. Review footage from any security and traffic cameras in the area.

Additionally, our leading lawyers will demand prior accident reports, cleaning records, road maintenance logbooks, and repair records. In many cases involving hydroplaning, other parties may be liable for defective designs, substandard construction, or improper maintenance. For example, if an excessive pool of water causes you to hydroplane, the City of Erie may be held responsible for failing to properly design the roadway’s drainage. Depending on the circumstances that caused the water to accumulate, possible defendants include any entities that own or control the roadway, like the municipalities, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), federal government agencies, and even private contractors.

It is imperative to hire a veteran car accident attorney with vast experience litigating collisions involving aquaplaning. The quality of legal representation you have can make a world of difference in achieving a large and unproblematic settlement. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated team realizes the importance of standing by our clients every step of the way. Although these types of claims can be extremely challenging, our elite litigators have the expertise and skills to build the strongest possible lawsuit. We would be honored to talk about your case in more detail and invite you to call us for a complimentary case evaluation. The Dietrich Legal Team is available 24/7 by calling 814-839-3939 or by completing our online consultation form. You owe it to yourself to consult with one of the finest personal injury attorneys in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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