3 Children Dead, Two Adults Injured After Hydroplaning Crash
Not an actual photo of the accident.
Three children are dead and two adults are injured after a two-vehicle hydroplaning crash in Terry County, TX. The crash occurred on Sunday, May 1, at around 5 p.m.
Details About the Hydroplaning Crash
On May 1, a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon was driving southwest on U.S. 62/385 close to 5 p.m.
According to investigators, the Hyundai entered an area of standing water, which caused the vehicle to hydroplane into the center median, and then spin into the northeast-bound lanes. At that time, a Toyota Sequoia was traveling northeast on the highway and collided with the Hyundai.
The 45-year-old driver of the Toyota and 35-year-old driver of the Tiburon were taken to nearby hospitals for the treatment of minor injuries.
Additionally, there were three children inside the Hyundai at the time of the crash. Sadly, all three were pronounced dead at the scene. Their ages ranged from 8 to 11 years old. Investigators stated that all three children were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
According to the National Weather Service, the crash happened as a line of thunderstorms started popping up close to the Gaines and Terry Counties.
How To Avoid Hydroplaning
According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHA), approximately 21 percent of all vehicle crashes are due to hazardous weather conditions.
In order to avoid hydroplaning, there are a few things that drivers can do:
Lower your speed — In wet conditions, it can be easier for a driver to lose control of their vehicle. Lowering your speed can help you navigate the road and safely come to a stop if needed.
Check your tires regularly — Tires that are not fully inflated can increase your chances of hydroplaning. Make it a priority to get your tires checked regularly to ensure they are safe to drive on the road.
Avoid sudden movements — When a driver makes sudden movements or sharp turns in wet conditions, it can be easier for them to lose control of their vehicle. If you must change lanes or turn, do it in a slow and controlled motion.
The thought of hydroplaning can be very unnerving to drivers. While there’s no surefire way to avoid hydroplaning, putting these tips to use can greatly decrease your chance of doing so. Whenever you’re driving in wet conditions, always make an effort to drive well below the speed limit and avoid sudden movements. Doing so can lower your chances of losing control of your vehicle.
Reach out to your Edinburg car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bobby Garcia today to get started on your legal claim.
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal