After weeks of dry summer weather, Atlanta’s first fall rain can make the roads surprisingly slick. Wet pavement, fallen leaves, and standing water can change driving conditions.
Here’s why those first fall rains can be especially dangerous, how to stay safer on wet roads, and what to do if you crash.
Why Atlanta Roads Get So Slick When the First Fall Rains Hit
During dry weather, oil, grease, rubber, and other residue can collect on the pavement. When rain first begins to fall, water mixes with that buildup, making the road slippery until heavier rain washes some of it away.
Wet roads are a serious nationwide safety concern. If you were hurt in a wet-weather crash, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help determine what happened and who may be responsible.
On tree-lined roads around Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and other parts of metro Atlanta, wet leaves can reduce tire traction and make it harder to stop or safely navigate a curve. According to the Federal Highway Administration, an estimated 574,047 crashes occurred in rain or mist in an average year from 2019 through 2023. Those crashes injured an estimated 219,039 people and killed 2,810 people.
For Atlanta drivers, slowing down and leaving more room to stop can reduce crash risk when early fall rains make busy roads slick.
Hydroplaning vs. Skidding: What’s the Difference?
Hydroplaning occurs when your tires ride on a layer of water instead of maintaining contact with the pavement. Skidding happens when the tires remain on the road but lose traction during braking or turning.
Hydroplaning may make the steering feel light or unresponsive, while a skid can cause the vehicle to slide or move in a direction you did not intend.
If your vehicle begins to hydroplane or skid:
- Ease your foot off the accelerator
- Avoid slamming on the brakes
- Steer gently in the direction you want to travel
- Avoid sudden movements until your tires regain traction
Speed and standing water increase the risk of hydroplaning. Even a thin film of water can cause a vehicle to lose traction, particularly at higher speeds.
How to Lower Your Crash Risk on Wet Roads
You cannot control the weather, but you can adjust your driving. When Atlanta roads are wet:
- Slow Down: A posted speed limit may be too fast for current conditions.
- Leave More Room: Increase your following distance so you have more time to stop.
- Use Low-Beam Headlights: They can help you see and make your vehicle easier for others to spot.
- Keep Both Hands on the Wheel: You may need to react quickly if your vehicle loses traction.
- Turn Off Cruise Control: Maintaining direct control of your speed makes it easier to respond when road conditions change.
Worn tread makes it harder for tires to move water away from the road surface, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. One simple at-home check is the penny test: place a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch deep, and you should replace the tire.
Wet-Weather Trouble Spots on Atlanta’s Busiest Roads
Rain can make Atlanta’s busy highways more difficult to navigate. Areas that deserve extra caution include I-285 (particularly the Top End Perimeter and the I-285/GA-400 interchange at Exit 27), Spaghetti Junction, the Downtown Connector, and busy I-20 interchanges.
High speeds, merging traffic, reduced visibility, and pooling water can create a dangerous combination. Give yourself more room, brake earlier than usual, and consider a different route when heavy rain makes conditions more dangerous.
Who Pays After a Rain-Related Crash in Georgia?
Rain does not excuse a driver who causes an accident. Georgia is an at-fault state, so determining who caused the crash can affect who is responsible for the damages.
Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law, O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, an injured person’s compensation can be reduced according to their percentage of fault. Someone who is 50% or more responsible cannot recover damages.
Liability can become more complicated when a driver hydroplanes and crashes without first hitting another vehicle. Depending on the circumstances, causes beyond the driver’s own actions may include:
- Another driver who forced the vehicle off the road
- A dangerous road condition that allowed water to pool
- A defective tire or vehicle component
Georgia generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, although shorter deadlines or notice requirements may apply in some cases.
What to Do After a Wet-Weather Car Accident in Atlanta
The conditions that contributed to a rainy-day crash can disappear quickly. Rain stops, standing water drains, and roadway conditions change. If you are involved in a crash:
- Get to a safe location if you can
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Photograph the vehicles, roadway, standing water, debris, and weather conditions
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
- Seek prompt medical attention, even if your symptoms seem minor
Preserving evidence early can help show what the road looked like when the crash occurred. If you were injured, fault is disputed, or an insurer is questioning your claim, consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney.
Prieto, DelCampo, Lopez, & Marigliano LLC includes former defense lawyers and former DeKalb County judges. That experience gives our firm insight into how insurers and defendants may evaluate a car accident claim.
Hurt in a Rain-Related Atlanta Crash? We’re Here to Help
If another driver or party contributed to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Our firm can investigate what happened, preserve evidence, communicate with the insurance companies, and fight for the money you deserve.
There are no upfront legal fees, and you pay attorney fees only if our firm recovers money for you. Contact us for a free consultation about your Atlanta car accident.