What to Do If Your Car Starts to Skid in Colorado 2025

Colorado can experience long and arduous winters, leading to difficult road conditions as precipitation falls and accumulates. When this happens, vehicles can be more likely to skid, leading to higher chances for accidents to occur. It is important that every driver understands the risks of hitting the road, no matter the weather. It’s also critical to know what to do if your car starts to skid in Colorado. This can make all the difference between safety and tragedy.

Skidding can be a frightening experience, as it can increase your chances of becoming involved in a car accident. It is vital that you remain calm and exercise control over your vehicle, as this can let you take the necessary actions to regain traction. Additionally, if you have been injured in a car accident due to another driver skidding, the car accident lawyers at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard can help you file a claim to recover compensation for any damages.

If you experience skidding, there are a few tips to help you regain control of your vehicle. If you are injured or suffer property damage in a skidding accident, our team is here to represent you.

Skidding and Its Causes

Skidding occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose traction on the roadway, resulting in the car sliding across or off the road. Skidding is often classified by which tires lose their grip, including:

• Rear-Wheel Skid: This occurs when the rear tires of your vehicle lose traction. Also known as fishtailing, this often happens when turning in snowy or icy conditions.
• Front-Wheel Skid: This form of skidding usually only involves the front two wheels of the car. It can often occur on icy or wet roads when the driver turns too fast, and the front of the vehicle slides on the roadway.
• Four-Wheel Skid: This happens when all four tires of the vehicle lose their grip or traction on the road. This most often occurs when a car hydroplanes and spins out of control and off the roadway.

All these forms of skidding can occur for several reasons. Most often, they are due to some form of driver error or inattention. The most common causes of skidding in Colorado include the following:

• Tires spinning as a result of accelerating too quickly in wet, icy, or snowy conditions
• Braking too fast or too suddenly on wet, snowy, or icy pavement, making the wheels lock up and lose traction
• Driving too fast in dangerous road conditions, such as in inclement weather
• Jerking the steering wheel too hard and fast, resulting in the tires losing their grip on the road
• Hydroplaning due to ice, standing water, or snow on the roadways
• Poor tire treads, which can also cause skidding, as the wear and tear of everyday use can result in insufficient traction control

What to Do If Your Car Starts to Skid

It is a gut reaction to slam on the brakes when we feel our vehicle slipping or sliding. However, this is actually the worst thing to do if you’re skidding. Instead, as soon as you start to feel your car skidding and losing traction, remove your foot from the accelerator, and do not hit the brakes. Instead, allow your car to lose speed. Maintain calmness and control, as this can let you mitigate any chances of causing an accident.

The most common causes of skidding in Colorado include the following:

• Steer your vehicle into the skid by turning your steering wheel in the direction the car is skidding. This might appear, at first glance, counterintuitive, but it should allow your wheels to come back into alignment so you can regain traction on the pavement.
• It is essential that you do not overcorrect your steering, as jerking your wheel in different directions can cause your vehicle to fishtail.
• In some cases, once your car has begun to slow down, you can begin to gently pump the brakes as control is regained.

When venturing out in inclement weather, it can be wise to follow a few tips that can prevent skidding altogether. These include:

• Make sure your tires have adequate tread to ensure traction.
• Keep up on maintenance of your tires, such as having them rotated on a regular basis and replaced when needed.
• Never attempt to drive through flooding or standing water on the roadway.
• When the road is icy or snow-covered, it is wise to reduce your speed and proceed with caution.
• When it is snowing or raining, do not engage cruise control.
• Slow your vehicle down when approaching curves, turns, or bends, especially in times of inclement weather.
• Always keep a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you to avoid any accidents, should skidding become unavoidable.

FAQs

Q: Who Is at Fault in an Accident Caused by Skidding?

A: In most cases, the driver whose vehicle is skidding is at fault for any accident. Typically, skidding can be caused by some form of driver error, such as driving too quickly for current conditions or braking too suddenly. In these scenarios, when driver error causes an individual to lose control of their vehicle, experience skidding, and cause a crash, they can be held liable for any damages that result.

Q: What Is Hydroplaning?

A: Hydroplaning is a form of skidding that occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose traction or cannot get a grip on the road’s surface due to a thin layer of water standing on the roadway. This can cause the vehicle’s tires to spin or slide, which can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle. If it spins or slides into the path of oncoming traffic, this can cause accidents.

Q: What Traffic Tickets Can Be Involved in a Skidding Situation?

A: Several traffic laws may have been violated in skidding situations, and the individual who skids could face tickets. These violations can include:

• Driving too fast for the conditions
• Surpassing posted speed limits
• Driving recklessly or distracted, such as partaking in texting and driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

In all these scenarios, this individual could also be deemed at fault and held liable for any resulting accidents.

Q: What Should You Do If You Crash Because of Skidding in CO?

A: If you crash due to skidding in Colorado, there are several things you will want to do. First, report the accident to the police. Take pictures of the accident, including all property damage or injuries. Gather the contact information of any witnesses and that of any involved drivers, along with their insurance information. You should then notify your insurance provider.

Contact Experienced Colorado Car Accident Lawyers Today

Skidding in Colorado can result in varying degrees of severe car accidents. If you suffer injury or property damage due to another vehicle losing control and skidding on the roadway, the team at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard can advocate for you. Contact our offices today, and let us review the details of your skidding accident and explain the legal options available to you.