Two Drivers Stranded, Rescued by Firefighters After Flash Flooding in Uvalde County Yesterday

According to a KSAT News report, a microburst of heavy winds and flash flooding in Uvalde County caused damage and stranded drivers yesterday.

A Facebook post from the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department stated that during the night, two drivers had to be rescued from high waters caused by flash flooding. The first driver was stranded on County Road 429 in Rancho Encino and was successfully rescued with no injuries. They received the call about a second driver on Puccini Lane during the first rescue, whom they also successfully saved with no injuries. During these rescues, firefighters also attended to a crash on US 83 North, where a vehicle went off the road and landed in a ditch. No injuries were reported in this crash. The post also stated that several roads were closed due to flooding and reminded drivers in the area to “Turn around, don’t drown.”

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Did You Know?

Nearly half of all flash flooding deaths are caused by vehicles being driven into floodwaters.

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Inclement Weather Driving: Risks, Accidents, and Liability

Heavy rains, high winds, flash flooding, hailstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes–Texas has it all, and all present some serious risks to drivers.

You can’t always avoid driving in inclement weather, though that would be ideal. As April draws to a close, much of the state is expected to see heavy thunderstorms and hail, increasing your risk of being in an auto accident.

What Risks Does Inclement Weather Present to Drivers?

There are many ways inclement weather conditions of any type put drivers at risk, some of the most common being:

• Limited Visibility — Heavy rain, fog, and darkness limit visibility, giving drivers less time to react to other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Slick Roads — Even small amounts of rain can cause the oil on the roads to rise to the surface, causing traction issues.
• Flash Flooding — Heavy or sudden rain can cause flash flooding, leaving drivers stranded.
• Hydroplaning — Water on the road can cause your tires to lose contact with the ground, causing you to spin out of control in extreme cases.

Can Inclement Weather Be Blamed for a Car Accident?

Typically, drivers are still responsible for accidents that happen in inclement weather conditions.

Driving in the rain or fog puts drivers at risk. But, drivers are expected to be extra vigilant if they are driving in inclement weather–your basic duty of care towards other drivers still applies.

The only time weather can be blamed for an accident is if it directly caused the accident and there was nothing the driver could do about it. For example, if high winds push your vehicle over into another vehicle or if floodwaters lift up your vehicle and push it into another.

However, let’s say you hydroplaned, causing you to hit another vehicle on the highway while it was raining. You would still be responsible for this accident because you should reduce your speed and avoid hydroplaning when it’s raining or when the roads are wet.

Rainy Weather Accident? Call Shaw!

If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Medical Bills,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Missed Work,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer. There are no fees and no obligations attached, just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²National Weather Service (Turn Around Don’t Drown®)