Does auto insurance cover hydroplane accidents?

What causes hydroplaning accidents?

Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle slides uncontrollably on the wet surface of a road. This occurs when the water that normally flows between your tire treads instead remains between the tires and the street or highway, sometimes combining with oil or other slippery road deposits. Wet, slick roadways, speed, and tires with insufficient grip on the road surface can trigger hydroplaning. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), rain and wet pavement can increase crash risk. Every year, 75 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement and 47 percent happen during rainfall.

Safe Motorist reports that these factors are the major contributors to hydroplaning when driving in the rain or on wet pavement:

1. Speed, especially over 35mph, combined with hard braking, can lead to hydroplaning.
2. The first 10 minutes of a light rain might increase chances of hydroplaning.
3. Tire conditions: The lower the tread on your tires, the higher the chance of hydroplaning.

Let's take a quick look at the basic science behind hydroplaning. A Virginia Tech study describes the science behind hydroplaning this way: "The frictional force between the tire and the road surface diminishes when the vehicle drives on a road covered by water film. Hydroplaning occurs when the total fluid lift force is greater than or equal to the wheel load. As the velocity increases, dynamic pressure builds up between the tire and the road which tends to lift the tire and increase the chances of hydroplaning" So, essentially, when your vehicle is hydroplaning, for those brief seconds, your tires are skimming over the watery film on the road surface.

What happens if hydroplaning causes a single-car accident?

In a single car accident due to weather, the driver is typically considered at fault. If you're injured in the accident, medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) may pay for your medical bills. When weather-related factors such as hydroplaning cause a car accident, however, there may be situations when the driver is not at fault. These could include:

• Manufacturer defects: If your tires or brakes failed because of faulty equipment, the car maker or a specific part manufacturer might be responsible.
• Dangerous road conditions: If you hydroplane and crash because the road was in poor condition, and there wasn't proper signage indicating hazards, you may be able to file a claim against the city or town responsible for road maintenance.

Are you considered at-fault if you hydroplane?

Determining fault in hydroplaning accidents can be challenging. Fault can generally depend on various circumstances leading to the hydroplaning accident such as:

• Driver negligence: If the driver was distracted, speeding, or driving aggressively in a rainstorm, they could be considered at fault in the accident.
• Vehicle maintenance: If the vehicle hydroplaned because of worn tires, the driver could be held responsible for the crash.

If you have collision coverage on your car insurance policy, that will typically cover your damages if you're found to be at fault in the accident. If you're in a single-vehicle hydroplane accident, your insurance may cover your injuries and property damage.

What to do if you get into a hydroplane accident

The steps you'd take after a hydroplane accident are the same steps you'd take after any car crash. Once you've stopped your vehicle in a safe location, check to see if you or anyone in your vehicle has sustained injuries. If the crash involved another vehicle, check to ensure the occupants of the other vehicle are safe. Call law enforcement to report the crash and inform your insurance company about the accident.

How to avoid hydroplaning accidents

Here are some tips for avoiding hydroplaning and potential crashes:

• Reduce speed: A study published by the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies found that the overall risk of fatal crashes increases by 34% when it's raining. Slow down when it's raining as you're more likely to hydroplane at higher speeds.
• Maintain your tires: The tread depth and proper inflation of your tires play a role in hydroplaning risk. Bridgestone Tire offers that a tire's tread depth is one of the most critical factors when it comes to resisting hydroplaning on wet roads. Replace worn tires with tread depth of 2/32nd of an inch or less for safer driving.
• Avoid driving through puddles: Steer clear of standing water in the roadway as puddles are common places for hydroplaning to occur.
• Avoid hard braking and taking sudden turns: Sudden movements on wet pavement may trigger hydroplaning.
• Invest in quality tires: Ensure that the tires on your vehicle are appropriate for driving in wet road conditions, with good water displacement capabilities.
• Inspect brakes and suspension regularly: Brakes and suspension systems in good running order help you maintain control of your vehicle in rainy conditions.

If you can't avoid driving in heavy rainstorms, the tips we've shared can be helpful to avoid hydroplaning. Now that you know that whether your car insurance covers a hydroplaning accident depends on the details of your policy, learn about how car insurance works.

Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.