Earlier this week near Azle, a 13-year-old girl was killed when she was ejected from the SUV in which she was riding after the vehicle hydroplaned. According to a report by the Star-Telegram, the SUV was traveling on Farm Road 3325 near Azle around 3:30 in the afternoon when the accident occurred.
Evidently, it had been raining earlier that day, and water had accumulated on the road, creating the hazard. As the vehicle hit a patch of water, it hydroplaned, leaving the driver with little to no control of the vehicle. The SUV left the road before it rolled twice and then struck a steel pole.
Three teens were ejected from the SUV during the accident. One of them, a 13-year-old-girl was pronounced dead by emergency responders. The other teens, another 13-year-old and an 11-year-old, were taken to the hospital and are believed to be in stable condition.
The driver and the front-seat passenger were both taken to the hospital as well, and they are believed to be in stable condition.
Driving in Wet Road Conditions
The tragic accident described above occurred because the SUV carrying the five passengers hydroplaned. Hydroplaning is different than a slick roadway. A wet road is more slippery because the water acts as a lubricant, making the vehicle have less traction. Under normal wet-road conditions, drivers can expect to slide out when turning and skid when braking.
Hydroplaning is when a thin layer of water builds between the vehicle’s tires and the road surface. This isn’t necessarily a problem if it occurs to one tire at a time. However, if all the tires hydroplane at the same time, the vehicle becomes like an uncontrolled sled. The driver will not be able to turn or slow the vehicle.
Preventing Hydroplaning
A vehicle that is traveling fast is more likely to have water build up beneath the tire and hydroplane. Therefore, it is advised that drivers slow down when it rains and the chances of hydroplaning increase. Properly inflating tires can also help decrease the chance of hydroplaning.
If a vehicle you are driving does begin to hydroplane, try not to brake heavily or make sudden changes in direction, for this may make the vehicle more unstable. The best thing to do is to let off the accelerator and allow the car to naturally slow down. This should allow the tires to come back into contact with the road.
Have You Been Injured in a Texas Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Texas car accident, it may have been due to the negligent driving of another motorist. When road conditions become compromised, it is each driver’s duty to safely operate his or her vehicle, even if it means slowing down to ensure safe travel. When drivers fail to take adequate precautions, innocent people can get hurt. To learn more about how you may be able to recover for your accident, click here, or call 817-885-8000 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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