Many Michigan motorists drive too fast when it is raining outside. While people might think that driving at or above the speed limit in rain is okay, a recent study found that even light rain greatly increases the chance of fatal accidents.
The study was published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Overall, the researchers found that rain, snow, or ice on the roads increased the risk of fatal accidents by 34%. The study was conducted by a data analyst with the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies. The researcher reviewed data from 125,012 fatal crashes in the U.S. from 2006 to 2011.
He found that light rain, which he defined as a drizzle, increased the risk of a deadly accident by 27%. Moderate rain increased the risk of fatal crashes by 75%, and heavy rain increased the risk by two-and-one-half times. The highest risk of fatal crashes was in the Upper Midwest and the Northern Rockies. The researcher stated that he believed there was a higher risk in these regions because people are able to drive faster than they can in the urban areas of the east.
People who drive too fast for the conditions may cause serious accidents that injure occupants of other vehicles. The victims of car accidents that happen because a driver lost control in wet conditions might want to consult with experienced personal injury attorneys. Attorneys might review what happened and advise people whether they have grounds to file claims. They might work to recover evidence proving that the other driver was driving too fast and thereby hold the drivers accountable for their negligence. By filing personal injury lawsuits, the victims may be able to recover compensation that fully covers the losses that they have suffered.