Tractor-Trailer Hydroplanes Killing Another

Driving in wet or rainy conditions poses a unique set of considerations. One of the hazards of driving in rainy or wet conditions is the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is:

[W]hat happens when the tread on your tires cannot channel all the rain-water out from under your tires – or, from under each patch of tire that is supposed to be resting on the road and providing you with traction. When hydroplaning, those tire patches are riding on a layer of water instead of pavement. Many different factors can affect the speed at which a tire will hydroplane, such as water depth, speed, weight of the vehicle, width of the tire, depth of tread, and tread pattern, but all tires will hydroplane with the right combination of speed and water depth. Most often, you hydroplane when your fast moving vehicle hits a deep puddle. The steering wheel jerks suddenly and the vehicle veers toward the puddle. It’s a good idea to slow down before hitting a puddle. Other times, when rain is pouring down in sheets, there can be enough water on the roadway to cause a vehicle to hydroplane (without apparent puddles).

An accident in the Seguin, Texas area is being blamed on an 18-wheeler hydroplaning, crossing into oncoming traffic, and killing another driver. According to the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise:

A semi hydroplaned and smashed into another vehicle Friday afternoon claiming the life of a Canyon Lake man. The accident shut down both westbound lanes of Interstate 10 at Schwab Road west of Seguin while crews cleaned up fuel and oil on the roadway. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Lino Casas said the driver of the tractor trailer, Avan Garza of San Antonio, was headed east on the highway when he lost control of his rig, causing him to cross into oncoming traffic and strike another vehicle traveling west. “The 18-wheeler hydroplaned and collided with a Ford F550, killing the driver of the Ford,” he said. The impact of the collision separated the cab from the semi, sending Garza to San Antonio’s Brooke Army Medical Center by ambulance with undisclosed injuries, and killing Jason Scott Kline, 38, of Canyon Lake, Casas said. While there were no hazardous materials involved in the accident, crews were dispatched to clean up the fuel and oil spilled causing westbound traffic to be diverted for several hours after the 12:15 p.m. wreck.

If someone you know was injured or killed as the result of an 18-wheeler accident, hydroplaning vehicle or tractor-trailer accident, encourage them to immediately contact a competent attorney for advice. It is extremely important to do this quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved, statements are taken, and the rights of all claimants are protected.