What Should You Do If Your Car Starts to Skid?

One of the dangers of driving in Colorado is the possibility of bad weather. Rain, ice, snow, and other inclement weather can make roads slippery and dangerous to navigate. Skidding can occur when a vehicle’s tires lose traction on the road surface and the driver applies too much brake or acceleration. Skidding can cause a loss of control, which can result in serious accidents.

If you find yourself in a dangerous situation where your car starts to skid, it’s critical that you know how to correct the vehicle and avoid a collision. Here is what you need to know to stay safe.

Contact a Boulder car accident lawyer at (720) 863-6006 to schedule a free consultation today.

Common Causes of Skidding

Skidding can happen for various reasons, including:

• Weather conditions, including rain, snow, and ice
• Speeding, as drivers traveling too fast for conditions are more likely to lose control of their vehicle
• Hard acceleration, which occurs when a driver applies more acceleration that can cause tires to spin and the vehicle to skid
• Oil and other slick surfaces on the road
• Poor tire treads, which decrease the traction with the road and make the vehicle more likely to skid
• Excessive braking or slamming on the brakes, which can cause the wheels to lock up

Steps to Take If Your Car Starts to Skid

If you find yourself in the terrifying situation of your vehicle skidding, try to follow these steps to control the skid and regain control of your car:

• Take your foot off the pedals. Don’t brake. Don’t accelerate.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.
• Steer in the other direction as the vehicle turns back.
• Don’t jerk the steering wheel as this can cause you to overcorrect and fishtail.

Controlling Your Vehicle in Different Skidding Situations

Road conditions and why your car starts to skid can require you to follow condition-specific tips, such as:

• Skidding in the rain – Avoid slamming on the brakes and take your foot off the brake. Turn your car in the direction you want to go. Once you regain control, return to the appropriate path of travel.
• Sliding on ice – Immediately remove your foot from the accelerator. Slowing down may help prevent your vehicle from sliding out of control. Turn your wheel in the direction the vehicle is sliding. Don’t overcorrect your steering. Return your steering wheel to the center once your vehicle straightens out.
• Front wheel skids – If your front wheel skids, remove your foot from the gas or brake pdeal. Slowly and gently turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to travel. Gently tap the brakes to regain control.
• Rear wheel skids – Remove your foot from both pedals. Slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to travel. Tap the brakes as your vehicle slows down.

Call Our Car Accident Lawyers If You Were Hurt in a Skidding Accident

If a skidding driver failed to take these steps and crashed into you, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Boulder from Daniels & Scriven, P.C. can investigate your accident, establish the other driver was at fault, and negotiate for fair compensation.

Contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation case review at (720) 863-6006.