What Should You Do if Your Car Starts to Skid in Texas?
Losing control of your vehicle can be frightening, especially when driving on wet or slippery Texas roads. A sudden skid can cause your car to slide into another lane, strike another vehicle, or leave the roadway. Knowing how to react can make a significant difference in preventing a collision.
If your car starts to skid, ease off the accelerator, avoid sudden braking, and make smooth steering adjustments to regain traction. Understanding the causes of skidding and how to respond to different types of skids can help you stay safer behind the wheel.
The Short Answer: Ease Off the Gas and Steer Into the Skid
The safest initial response to a skid is to remain calm, ease off the gas, and avoid abrupt steering or braking. If your rear wheels lose traction, gently steer in the direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding.
For example, if the back of your car slides to the right, steer gently to the right to help realign the vehicle. As traction returns, straighten the steering wheel to avoid swinging in the opposite direction.
However, steering into the skid is not the correct response to every loss-of-traction situation. If your front tires lose grip and your vehicle continues straight despite turning the steering wheel, you generally need to reduce acceleration and ease the steering angle until the front tires regain traction.
Why Do Skids Happen on Texas Roads?
Skids occur when tires lose the traction needed to accelerate, brake, or turn effectively. Weather, speed, tire condition, and driver behavior can all contribute to this loss of control.
Common causes of skidding on Texas roads include:
- Heavy rain: Water reduces tire contact with pavement and can cause hydroplaning.
- Excessive speed: Driving too fast for conditions makes it harder for tires to maintain grip.
- Sudden braking: Aggressive braking can cause wheel lockup in vehicles without effective anti-lock braking.
- Sharp turns: Turning too quickly can exceed the available traction.
- Worn tires: Insufficient tread makes it harder to maintain traction, particularly on wet pavement.
- Oil and debris: Loose gravel, oil, and other substances can create slippery surfaces.
- Ice: Bridges and overpasses can become particularly hazardous during freezing conditions.
Drivers should reduce their speed and increase following distances when traction is limited.
What to Do During a Front-Wheel Skid
A front-wheel skid occurs when the front tires lose traction, causing the vehicle to continue straight even though the driver is attempting to turn. This is also known as understeer.
If your front wheels begin to skid:
- Ease off the accelerator to reduce speed.
- Avoid turning the steering wheel farther in the direction you want to go.
- Gently reduce the steering angle to help the front tires regain traction.
- Avoid sudden braking or steering movements.
- Once traction returns, steer smoothly toward your intended path.
Front-wheel skids frequently occur when a driver enters a curve too quickly or encounters slippery pavement.
What to Do During a Rear-Wheel Skid
A rear-wheel skid occurs when the back tires lose traction, and the rear of the vehicle begins sliding sideways. This is commonly called oversteer and can cause a vehicle to spin if the driver reacts incorrectly.
To regain control:
- Ease off the accelerator.
- Look toward the direction you want the vehicle to travel.
- Gently steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding.
- Avoid sudden braking.
- Straighten the steering wheel as the vehicle begins to realign.
For example, if the rear of your vehicle slides left, steer gently left. Avoid holding that steering angle too long, as this can cause the vehicle to skid in the opposite direction.
What Not to Do: Common Mistakes That Make a Skid Worse
Sudden braking, oversteering, and accelerating during a skid can make it more difficult to regain control.
Common mistakes include:
- Slamming on the brakes
- Overcorrecting the steering wheel
- Accelerating
- Looking directly at an obstacle
- Making sudden movements
These reactions can further reduce traction and increase the risk of a collision.
When a Skid Leads to a Crash: What to Do Next
After a skidding-related crash in Texas:
- Call 911
- Move to safety
- Seek medical care
- Document the scene
- Exchange information
- Notify your insurer
You should also consult a seasoned car accident lawyer. Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims.
Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Knowing how to respond when your car starts to skid can help prevent an accident, but even careful drivers may be injured when another motorist loses control.
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence, evaluate liability, and pursue full compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Texas car accident lawyer.
We proudly serve in Dallas County and its surrounding areas:
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers
1825 Market Center Blvd # 350, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 556-8321
Hours Open: 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Dallas.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.7950252,-96.8241861
About the Author
Jeff BentonJeff Benton is the founder of Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers in Dallas. He represents clients in claims involving truck accidents, car accidents, wrongful death, workplace accidents, and other forms of negligence. Jeff is known for taking on difficult cases that other firms decline and for fighting aggressively against powerful insurance companies and corporate defendants. He was honored with the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association’s John Howie Award for his pursuit of justice and remains committed to helping injured individuals and families throughout Texas. Click here to see some of his notable case results.
