probinator

I had a hard time keeping it down with stock tires in the rain.

P Zero

Glad to hear you and your wife are ok.

The damage looks mostly cosmetic, but Id have the front end checked out for damage (rack, tie-rods).

As for what caused it, you were right, it was the tires. I used to sell tires for 2 major tire companies, and drag radials are NOT a good all weather tire. They have just enough tread to be street legal. Which is something along the lines of 5/32". Where as a normal, even performance tires, usually start @ 10/32". Now that being said, all-seasons or performance tires that have worn to 5/32" have reduced water channeling. Less than 50% as good as when the same tire had 10/32".

Aside from that, drag radials have really large wide solid blocks of tread which are even more prone to hydroplaning.

Ive driven at speeds in the rain that most people wouldnt attempt dry, because the (summer)tires I choose for my car are designed to channel out water aS quickly and efficiently as possible.

Another thing, you can probably buy a high performance tire that has comprable traction to the DR but can actually channel water.

But if you are truely stuck on getting some sort of a DR or cheater slick, Mickey Thompson Sportsman pro's are a good tire. The sidewalls are flimsy as hell, but the tires are super sticky (youll fry your clutch before the tires will break loose), and they have pretty deep tread.
Just a suggestion.
-P.