Hydroplane Car Accidents
Motor Vehicle Collision Attorneys for Victims Injured in Chicago and Beyond
Hydroplane car accidents can cause serious harm to people involved in a crash and lead to extensive property damage. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we investigate all of the potential causes of a crash and prove legal fault when the facts indicate that driver error caused a crash. Our Chicago car accident lawyers prove the full extent of harm suffered by victims, and we understand the importance of securing compensation for injured individuals and their families. While hydroplane car accidents on the highway or other roads may involve specific roadway conditions, we know that there is often more than first meets the eye in these situations.
File a Legal Claim for Damages Suffered in a Hydroplane Car Accident
Hydroplaning often takes place during wet road conditions, when the surface of the asphalt becomes slippery. The term refers to the action of a vehicle sliding or skidding across a wet surface. It is the combination of moisture and oil residue on roads that can lead to slippery surfaces. Tires become separated from the road surface by a thin layer of water, and drivers can experience a loss of steering, as well as a loss of braking ability and vehicle control. A hydroplane crash can be catastrophic, affecting multiple vehicles and their drivers and passengers.
As part of meeting their legal duty to operate their vehicles reasonably, all drivers must adjust their speed and steering to account for road conditions. Weather-related accidents occur throughout the Chicago area, and when victims suffer injuries in car accidents due to drivers who carelessly operate their cars during these conditions, they have a legal right to pursue a claim for damages. All drivers should operate a vehicle with properly inflated tires and rotate their tires regularly. Additionally, avoiding a hard brake, as well as sharp turns, can help avoid potential hydroplaning.
Hydroplane car accidents that take place because a driver has not properly controlled or maintained their vehicle expose the driver to legal liability for the resulting damages. As the first step in a legal claim for compensation, injured victims are required to show legal fault for a crash. This requires proof that the driver was negligent, or failed to use due care, and directly caused a crash.
An essential aspect of a negligence claim against a driver who caused a hydroplane collision is showing that there were no other intervening causes. A separate cause, such as improper merging by another driver, will “interrupt” the chain of causation, such that the victim and their attorney will not be able to show that their claim lies against the driver of the car that hydroplaned.
The types of damages that may be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit cover medical bills, injuries, and other types of costs and losses. All costs should be quantified, which means that they must be proven through documented receipts. In some situations, medical experts can attest to potential ongoing treatment costs. Vocational experts are also available to testify for victims suffering from injuries that prevent them from successfully returning to their former occupation.
Contact a Dedicated Chicago Lawyer to Discuss the Details of Your Car Crash Case
Accident victims who suffer serious injuries in a hydroplane crash may be entitled to monetary damages. When driver error has caused a crash, the skilled Chicago attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can help injured victims as well as their families. Our goal is to hold all at-fault parties accountable if their conduct has caused a car accident. Our motor vehicle crash lawyers assist individuals and families in Chicago, Rockford, Champaign, Quincy, Aurora, and other areas of Cook, Winnebago, Adams, Kane, and Sangamon Counties. Our knowledge and guidance can help you understand your legal rights and determine the appropriate next steps to pursue the compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call our office at 312-724-5846 or use our online form.