Be Safe in These Weather Conditions!

The recent winter storms have brought much-needed rain to the Southern California landscape, but with the precipitation has come a number of car accidents and injuries. This has prompted Attorney Stephen Rosen to remind those reading this blog to be safe during these wet weeks ahead, particularly when getting behind the wheel of a car.

“Unfortunately, weather related car accidents have always plagued Southern Californian winters. It’s very important for drivers to keep the road conditions in mind when driving in the rain,” said Attorney Rosen. Anybody who regularly commutes through our freeway system knows this to be true; inclement weather usually leads to accidents, and heavy morning and evening traffic. It’s easy to forget, however, that in some cases, those accidents could result in serious, and sometimes life-changing injuries.

Attorney Rosen continued “Typically, the roads are the most slippery during the early stages of the rainy season. However, when driving in rain at any time, it’s important to give the other drivers a little extra warning of your car’s maneuvers; make sure to signal turns earlier and start the stopping process sooner than normal.”

Attorney Rosen is correct, in that many experts agree that the most dangerous time on the roads is within the early stages of a rainy season, as well as the first several minutes after rain begins. This is because many of the oils that have seeped in or dried up on the roads are then lifted to the surface by the water, which creates an extremely slippery road surface. So always be sure to follow Attorney Rosen’s advice and give others a little extra warning before making a maneuver.

What are some ways to prepare your car for the rainy season? The first thing you should always do is check all of your running lights to ensure they’re in good working order, including your headlights, tail lights, blinkers, and fog lights (if you have them). Replace the bulbs in any lights that are not working.

Next, it’s always a smart idea to replace your windshield wiper blades. This doesn’t cost more than a few dollars and can make the difference between being able to see clearly while driving, and fighting to see what’s in front of you during a downpour.

Finally, check your tires and tread depth for wear. If you don’t have enough tread on your tires, your traction in water will become extremely unstable and will seriously increase your accident risk.

There’s a very simple way you can tell if your tires need replacement: all you need is a penny. Insert the penny into the tread of your tire with Abe Lincoln’s head pointed into the tire. If you can see the entirety of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.

If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident this rainy season, contact a skilled Dana Point personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Stephen N. Rosen of Rosen Law Offices has assisted numerous clients with their injury cases, providing strong, reputable counsel for those who have fallen victim to the negligent actions of another. Whether your accident was caused by reckless actions in rainy weather, or a defective product, Attorney Rosen may be able to assist you.