Nevada is not known for having a lot of rain, and most roads in Nevada have not taken rainfall into consideration. That’s why a sudden heavy downpour can lead to flooding. Flash floods can be devastating on the roadway and lead to a lot of accidents. As little as two feet of water can sweep your car away. This makes your car a dangerous place to be during a Nevada flash flood. To help you and the drivers in your family avoid a car accident during Las Vegas monsoon season, Lerner and Rowe presents the following flash flood safety tips.
How to Drive Safely During a Nevada Flash Flood
Preparing yourself for the possibility of a southern Nevada flash flood is integral to keeping you and your passengers safe if waters rise suddenly. Learn the safety tips and tricks now, and you will be ready to deal with all the hazardous conditions that can come from heavy rain. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind if you find yourself on the road during a Nevada flash flood.
Avoid Distractions
This is always important while you drive, and it is especially crucial during heavy rains and flooding. When the roads are covered with water, you do not have as much margin for error. Make sure you keep all distractions to a minimum, including loud music, conversations, and cell phone use. It can be tempting to take pictures or videos of the unusual weather, but it is not worth the risk. You will likely be able to find other footage of any Nevada flash flood that happens, and you will not have to engage in distracted driving for it.
Know When to Abandon Your Car
If your car becomes stuck and water is rising, you need to get out. It can be hard to open your door if your car is in standing water, so you may have to exit through a window or a sunroof. If you cannot get the window open, try your best to break the glass.
Once you are out of the car, get out of the water and up to higher ground as soon as possible. The water is often full of bacteria from sewers, which can make you extremely sick. Even a few inches of rushing water can knock you off your feet, so head for higher ground as quickly as you can.
Stay Calm
It can be very stressful to drive during a flash flood, but try to keep a level head. If you become too panicked, you are actually more likely to make a mistake that can lead to an accident. Stay calm, have faith in your abilities, and remember that if you are careful you will be able to find a way out of the flooded areas. Take things slowly and definitely do not speed.
Turn Around If You Have To
No appointment is worth risking your life. The National Weather Service (NWS) recommends that drivers find another way home if they find themselves approaching a flooded street. It is hard to judge the depth of water in your path, so try to avoid any route with standing water on the road. If you cannot find an alternative route, your best bet might be to wait somewhere safe until the roads clear.
Attempting to drive through a flooded road can make your engine flood. Or, your tires could lose their grip on the road. Either one of these scenarios can lead to you getting stuck. The best thing for your safety is to avoid driving if possible. Absolutely never go around any sort of barricade to get to a road that has been blocked off.
Watch Out for Fallen Power Lines
Heavy storms and rushing water can knock power lines over into the road. This could block your path, and the power lines may be sending dangerous electrical currents into the water. This can lead to a major electrocution injury. Do not make your Nevada flash flood experience even worse by driving into electrically charged water.
Use Your Windshield Wipers and Headlights
This is important for your visibility and the visibility of those around you. Nevada law requires drivers to use their headlights during periods of poor visibility, such as during heavy rain. However, do not put your hazard lights on unless you have come to a complete stop. Doing this may confuse other drivers and is illegal in Nevada.
Leave Extra Space Between Yourself and Other Cars
It takes more distance to stop a car when the roads are moist, so you will need to leave more distance than usual between yourself and the next car. Do not tailgate or do anything else that might require you to slam on the brakes. Cars can hydroplane in under an inch of water. This makes it easy to lose control if you brake too hard or turn too quickly.
Try to Get Live Updates
The Nevada Department of Transportation’s Twitter feed does an excellent job of keeping people up to date with current road conditions. There are also navigation and weather apps that can keep you up to date. However, this is only a good option if you have a passenger who can watch the phone for you. Keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel are always important, but especially during a Nevada flash flood. If you’re driving alone then the radio is a better option. Local news stations can help you avoid dangerous areas.
Know Your Rights If You Have a Nevada Flash Flood Accident
Some people do not know how to drive safely during a flash flood or do not follow good safety advice. If you find yourself involved in a roadway incident during a flash flood, think about whether it was caused by another driver’s negligent behavior. If another driver causes an accident by being careless or reckless during a Nevada flash flood then they may be liable for damages. Careless behavior includes speeding, texting while driving, or failure to use headlights and turn signals.
Accidents caused by poorly-maintained roads during a flood could also qualify for compensation if it’s found that the government agency in charge failed to repair or replace the road.
Nevada Flash Flood Attorneys
In a wreck? Need a check? The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys will bring experience, skill, and passion to your case. We even offer free consultations, so there is no fee unless we win your case. In addition to offering impeccable legal service, our team takes great pride in helping clients carry the emotional burden of an injury so that they can focus on recovery.
Contact us today to let us get to work fighting for you. You can reach us by phone at 702-877-1500. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but we are available 24/7 to take your call. We also have a LiveChat service, so you can start getting the answers you need online. Get in touch with us to see if you might be entitled to a settlement after an incident involving a southern Nevada flash flood.