What Is Hydroplaning?

Rain doesn't need to fall hard to affect how a car handles. On wet pavement, even a thin layer of water can lift tires off the surface, reducing grip and limiting control. Steering may feel loose. Brakes may take longer to respond. The vehicle might drift off course before the driver realizes what's happening.

These conditions create the risk of hydroplaning—a common factor in serious crashes on Texas roads. It becomes more likely during the first minutes of rainfall, when oil rises to the surface, drainage systems struggle, and drivers fail to adjust speed or spacing.

Wondering what is hydroplaning, how it happens, or who's responsible after a crash? You're not alone. Drivers across Texas face these risks year-round, including after dry stretches give way to sudden rain.

Here's what to know before the next storm hits.

For help after a crash on wet roads, reach out to the attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek. Call (832) 690-7000 or send a message to begin your free consultation.

How Does Hydroplaning Happen

Hydroplaning occurs when water accumulates under your tires, lifting them off the road. You lose traction, and the car may feel like it's sliding or floating. Steering becomes unresponsive, and braking may not work as expected.

Common causes include:

• Driving over 45 mph on wet roads,
• Worn or bald tires,
• Standing water on flat or curved roads, and
• Low tire pressure.

Once hydroplaning begins, the car continues to follow its own momentum. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles may fishtail, while front-wheel-drive cars can glide forward. On multi-lane roads or uneven surfaces, this can cause a vehicle to drift into other lanes or oncoming traffic.

At What Speed Does Hydroplaning Occur?

Hydroplaning becomes more likely as speed increases. At speeds of 55 mph and above, even shallow standing water can lift a vehicle's tires off the road, especially when traction is already reduced by worn tires or low tire pressure.

At higher speeds, the vehicle's momentum works against recovery. Steering may stop responding. Braking feels delayed. The car may begin to drift across lanes without warning or input.

Signs of hydroplaning at highway speeds include:

• Loss of steering control,
• Delayed or ineffective braking, and
• Sudden, uncommanded lateral movement.

Texas roads and highways are prone to these conditions, particularly after dry weather followed by light rain. Oil on the surface mixes with water, and poor drainage leaves slick spots across flat stretches, curves, and feeder lanes. Drivers often encounter these hazards before they have time to react.

How to Prevent Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning risk rises with speed, worn tires, and standing water, but many of the most serious crashes can be prevented with basic preparation and focused driving.

Before wet weather hits, check:

• Tire tread and pressure: Low tread increases glide, and underinflated tires reduce contact
• Brake condition and alignment: Uneven wear or delayed response affects stopping power
• Wiper blades and fluid levels: clear visibility helps detect puddles and water pooling ahead

While driving on wet roads:

• Reduce speed, even during light rain;
• Avoid cruise control in changing conditions;
• Keep both hands on the wheel near curves and merges; and
• Steer around standing water near curbs, bridge seams, or low spots on wide roads.

Hydroplaning can start without warning. Preparation gives you fewer surprises and more room to respond.

Injuries caused by hydroplaning crashes tend to trace back to road conditions, tire performance, and how each driver responded. When wet pavement plays a role, fault isn't always straightforward, and neither is the recovery process.

Speak with a car accident attorney at Pierce Skrabanek to understand your legal options. Call (832) 690-7000 or send a message to request a free case review.

What to Do If You Hydroplane

When a car begins to hydroplane, traction drops instantly. How you respond during those few seconds can make the difference between recovery and collision.

If you start to hydroplane:

• Ease off the gas. Let the car slow down on its own. Sudden speed changes can worsen the slide.
• Keep the wheel steady. Avoid sharp movements. Once traction returns, steer gently in the direction you need to go.
• Do not brake hard. If your vehicle lacks ABS, use light, steady pressure only if stopping is necessary.
• Stay focused. Scan ahead for open space and prepare to steer clear of nearby traffic.
• Pull over when safe. Check for tire damage or handling issues before continuing.

Hydroplaning can catch drivers off guard, even on familiar routes. Routine tire checks, slower speeds in wet weather, and steady hands at the wheel all help reduce the risk of losing control.

Recognizing a Hydroplane Crash

Drivers may not realize they hydroplaned until after the impact. There may be no screech of tires, no sharp turn, no visible mistake—just a sudden loss of control on a road that seemed routine.

Certain conditions at the scene can point to hydroplaning as a cause:

• Skid marks that end near shallow water or pooled runoff,
• Vehicles that veer off straight roads without braking, or
• Collisions in areas with wide lanes or flat curves during recent rain.

These crashes often occur without warning, and the details that suggest hydroplaning may be overlooked in the moment. Tire wear, water depth, vehicle weight, and road slope all influence whether a driver keeps control or loses it instantly.

If you believe your car hydroplaned, or if another vehicle slid into your path without braking or turning, document the conditions as soon as possible. Photos of the road surface, water patterns, tire tracks, vehicle damage, and debris can help clarify how the crash occurred and who may be responsible.

Injuries from Hydroplaning Accidents

When a vehicle hydroplanes at high speeds, the results can be catastrophic. Without traction, drivers lose control in an instant, leading to violent collisions, rollovers, or impacts with other vehicles and roadside barriers.

Common hydroplane-related injuries include:

• Neck and spinal cord trauma,
• Concussions and head injuries,
• Broken limbs, or
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.

Recovering from these injuries usually takes more than just medical treatment. Many people face missed work, long-term care, and emotional stress, not to mention the costs that come with ambulance rides, hospital stays, and ongoing therapy.

Unfortunately, during this vulnerable period, insurance companies may act quickly to protect their bottom line. An adjuster may call within days asking for a recorded statement. These calls can feel routine, but the answers you give may be used later to reduce or deny compensation.

Statements like "I didn't see the water" or "I might've been going a little fast" can be interpreted as admissions, even if you were driving reasonably for the conditions.

If you're being asked to explain what happened but aren't sure how to answer, you don't have to respond right away. Speaking with a car accident attorney first can help you avoid statements that insurance companies might use against you.

Misconceptions That Raise Hydroplaning Risk

Certain beliefs about hydroplaning increase the likelihood of drivers losing control. These are some of the most common:

• "It only happens in heavy rain." Hydroplaning can occur during light rain, especially when oil and debris have accumulated on the road after a period of dry weather.
• "New tires can't hydroplane." Tire tread helps, but no tire can maintain grip once a layer of water lifts it off the pavement.
• "All-wheel drive prevents hydroplaning." AWD improves traction on dry or uneven terrain. It does not prevent tires from skimming over water.
• "Brake hard to regain control." Hard braking can worsen the skid. Releasing the accelerator is the safest response.
• "I can steer out of it quickly." Steering may not respond while the tires are gliding. Sharp input can cause the car to spin out of control.

Understanding what is hydroplaning—how it begins, how vehicles respond, and how to avoid it—gives drivers a better chance of avoiding a crash. Tire condition, speed, and timing all matter, but so does knowing what not to do once control starts to slip.

Is Hydroplaning an At Fault Accident?

Drivers are expected to adjust their speed and behavior when roads are wet. When that doesn't happen, hydroplaning crashes can lead to a finding of fault, regardless of weather conditions.

Insurance companies generally review:

• Speed on wet pavement,
• Tread depth and tire inflation,
• Braking patterns approaching curves or intersections,
• Visibility at the time of the crash, and
• Signs of distraction or inattention.

If a driver hydroplanes and causes injury or damage, whether they hit another car, a barrier, or veer off the road alone, they may be held financially liable. In multi-vehicle crashes, fault may be shared across multiple drivers depending on how each vehicle responded.

Commercial drivers face an additional layer of scrutiny. Investigators may examine maintenance records, tire inspection logs, and hours-of-service data to determine whether the vehicle should have been on the road during wet conditions. Companies that cut corners on safety can also be held accountable for their actions.

A finding of fault affects more than blame. It can determine who pays for medical bills, repairs, and long-term recovery.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Hydroplaning Accident?

Fault in a hydroplaning crash doesn't always fall on a single driver. In some cases, responsibility is shared among multiple parties based on the circumstances of the collision, the prevailing conditions, and whether proper precautions were taken.

Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:

• Individual drivers: Driving too fast for conditions, ignoring tire maintenance, or failing to slow down on visibly wet roads can result in direct responsibility. This applies to both private motorists and rideshare operators.
• Trucking companies: Commercial vehicles are subject to tire inspection requirements and weather safety protocols. If a company skips routine checks or pressures drivers to meet deadlines through storms, it may share fault for a crash involving one of its trucks.‍
• State or local agencies: Drainage failures, low spots in the roadway, or areas with a known history of rain-related accidents may point to negligent roadway design or maintenance. If those issues were reported and left uncorrected, a government entity could be held accountable.‍
• Tire manufacturers or mechanics: Tire defects, improper installations, or uneven wear from alignment issues can all lead to traction loss. When a tire fails under conditions it should have been able to handle, the provider or service shop may be included in the claim.

Determining fault and liability in hydroplaning accident cases requires a close look at both the scene and the vehicles involved. Skid marks, tire condition, crash angles, and water depth may all become part of the evidence.

Why Texans Call Pierce Skrabanek After Hydroplaning Crashes

For more than 30 years, Pierce Skrabanek has represented individuals across Texas who suffered injuries in crashes caused by hydroplaning. We understand how quickly these accidents happen and what it takes to recover.

If you were hurt when a vehicle lost traction on wet roads, reach out today. Our attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (832) 690-7000 or send a message to schedule your free case review.