Hydroplaning occurs when water remains between the tire and the road, which can result in the car gliding and losing control. Because every accident is different, the fault for such an accident could lie with any of these three parties:
- The driver: The driver may be at fault if they knowingly drove with under-inflated or bald tires. Those tires are more likely to have issues with hydroplaning than tires that are properly inflated or have good, deep treads. The driver might also be responsible if they were disobeying rules of the road, or if they were driving too fast or aggressively for the conditions on the road.
- The municipality: If the city or municipality failed to properly maintain the road, or if the road was inherently more likely to have issues with hydroplaning due to a defective design, that municipality could be held liable for resulting accidents and injuries. Roads must be designed with proper drainage and runoff so water isn’t likely to build up on the roads. The city must also keep gutters and storm drains clear so the water has a place to flow.
- The manufacturer: The manufacturer of the tires could be considered liable in some cases if the tires did not meet safety standards. One would have to be able to prove the manufacturer produced defective tires, or knowingly sold tires that did not meet vehicle safety standards.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by hydroplaning, speak to a knowledgeable Manatee County personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh to learn more about the steps you can take to recover compensation for your damages.