Car Damage After Hitting a Pothole

In most cases, potholes on the road simply pose a minor inconvenience—maybe a spilled drink or a startled passenger. Sometimes, running over a pothole can damage your tire, dent the underside of your vehicle, or even lead to worse mechanical issues.

The good news is that if you need to repair your vehicle after encountering a particularly deep pothole, you might have the legal right to recover compensation for your car damage. Let a Belleville car accident lawyer at The Cates Law Firm walk you through the process.

What Happens to Your Car When You Hit a Pothole?

Potholes can puncture your tires, damage your wheels, strain your suspension systems, and even throw off your car’s alignment. In severe cases, the impact might also compromise your vehicle’s undercarriage or steering components, which can cost a lot to repair.

When you hit a significant pothole and start hearing strange noises, feel your car pulling to one side, or experience a sudden loss of tire pressure, pull over as soon as possible to check for damage.

Drivers in regions with harsh weather and substandard road maintenance, like in Illinois, experience frequent potholes.

Who Is Liable for Car Damage Caused by a Pothole?

If you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for any property damage, you need to determine the party to hold responsible for your accident. However, this process might not come easy.

City, county, or state governments usually need to repair potholes, but you need to prove that they knew of the issue and failed to act in a timely manner if you want to hold them liable for your car damage.

Illinois drivers could possibly file a claim with the state to cover your pothole-related damage costs. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has a process in place to let drivers seek compensation for damages, but you need evidence—including photographs of the pothole, repair estimates, and any related documentation to substantiate your claim. You may also want to get a professional assessment from a mechanic or auto body shop to tie the damage to your pothole incident.

Consider looking online for complaints from other residents about pothole issues or any information about recent roadwork on the street.

Keep in mind that government entities often have limited protection from liability, which means that even cases with substantial evidence might not fully reimburse your damages.

The Belleville Car Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm Will Help

If you were in a pothole accident, turn to the Belleville car accident lawyers at The Cates Law Firm. Call our Swansea, Illinois, office at 618-277-3644 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. We serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.