Atlanta Hurricane Risks: How Reckless Drivers Put Other Motorists At Risk
Early fall weather brings a welcome break from the heat, but it also means the most active time in the hurricane season. Late-year storms can bring some of the most unpredictable and dangerous driving conditions in Atlanta. As storms push inland from the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, Georgia roads become slicker, visibility drops, and the margin for error behind the wheel shrinks significantly. When drivers ignore those conditions, serious crashes follow.
Our experienced Atlanta car accident lawyers explain that, while bad weather increases crash risks, reckless driving is often the underlying cause. Find out what you need to know to protect your rights in a claim.
How Hurricane Season Increases Atlanta Car Accident Risks
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from early June through November. However, late summer and early fall tend to pose the greatest risks. In addition to jeopardizing your property and personal safety, heavy storms increase the likelihood of Atlanta car accidents.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that nearly 15 percent of all crashes in the U.S. occur due to bad weather. Over a quarter of these accidents happen in wet, rainy conditions. Ways it can impact your safety and driving abilities include:
- Reduced tire traction on wet pavement extends stopping distances.
- Standing water on roadways can cause hydroplaning, sending a vehicle completely out of the driver’s control.
- Heavy rain, spray from other vehicles, and overworked windshield wipers reduce visibility.
- Bridges often get slick, while underpasses and low-lying roads quickly flood.
- Tropical storm or hurricane-force winds carry debris onto roadways, creating serious obstacles.
Bad weather conditions require slower speeds, greater following distances, and heightened attention. Unfortunately, not every driver adjusts accordingly, and that is when crashes happen.
Reckless Driving Increases Storm-Related Crash Risks in Atlanta
Traffic on the Downtown Connector, Peachtree Street, and other major roads in Atlanta is generally heavy. Add wet, rainy weather from an approaching storm, and conditions can quickly become treacherous.
No doubt bad weather increases Atlanta car accident risks, but the reckless behavior of other motorists is often ultimately to blame. Examples include:
- Speeding despite reduced visibility and slick road surfaces.
- Tailgating on wet highways where braking distances are significantly longer than normal.
- Failing to use headlights during heavy rainfall as required by Georgia law.
- Attempting to drive through flooded roads and losing control in rising water.
- Distracted driving combined with poor weather conditions can lead to deadly results.
There’s nothing you can do about the weather, but you can hold other drivers accountable when you suffer injuries due to their recklessness.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Today
Wet, rainy weather during hurricane season creates significant hazards for Atlanta drivers. If you or someone you love is injured in a crash, Shiver Hamilton Campbell is here to help.
We provide the professional legal service you need to hold those at fault accountable and get compensation in an injury claim. Contact our Atlanta car accident lawyers today to request a consultation. We serve clients in Decatur, Jonesboro, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and throughout DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton Counties.
Sources:
nhc.noaa.gov/refresh.shtml
ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/roadimpact.htm
dds.georgia.gov/section-5-continued-other-laws
