A weak storm system arrived on cue in Orange County today. The meager rainfall will, however, give way to a much stronger system on Friday, continuing through the weekend. The much more powerful low-pressure system should bring heavy rain and strong winds, providing for very dangerous road conditions.
The National Weather Service has already issued flash flood warnings from Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. Southern California drivers are notoriously ill equipped to properly drive correctly under these conditions. Negligent drivers will cause a lot of accidents from now through the end of the weekend so we wanted to provide a list of bad driving techniques to look out for. If you witness other motorists doing any of the following acts while driving, please steer clear of them:
- Driving Towards the Sides of the Road: Roads are constructed so that they are highest in the middle. The difference is slight, but it causes water to run off the center hump and drain toward the edges. Therefore, it is important to not drive on the side or close to the shoulder of the road when it is down pouring to avoid hydroplaning.
- Driving Without Headlights On: You need your headlights so other cars will see you, but refrain from using your brights if other drivers are around you.
- Driving With a Completely Covered Windshield: Never drive if the rain is so heavy that you cannot see even with your windshield wipers on high. If you find yourself stuck in this situation before reaching your destination, go slow and put on your flashers if necessary.
- Driving Through Deep Water on the Road: If you see water flowing across a road from one side to the other and don’t know how deep it is, don’t take any chances. Don’t drive across it! Take another route if you can. If you can’t see the bottom of the puddle, don’t attempt to drive across it. There may be a large pothole or objects fallen from a truck or other car that may damage your tires. Stop a safe distance away from the water’s edge and find a way around it if possible.
- Driving Fast in Poor Conditions: Don’t try speeding in heavy rainfall! Take it slow so you can see what is clearly ahead of you. If you must, turn on your flashers and go as slow as you need to go to get to your destination safely!
If you have been hit by a negligent motorist using any of these horrible driving techniques, you may have a case against that driver. Ultimately what must be proven to win a case is that someone else was negligent or careless and that it was their negligence or carelessness that caused your injury. At Cohn & Swartzon, it is our duty to prove this. We encourage you to bring your personal injury case to our accomplished attorneys at Cohn & Swartzon, regardless of the type of accident or injury you have suffered from. Contact us today and sign up for a free case evaluation!
