If like us, you are local to the Worthing area, you will know we have our fair share of potholes. But did you know that you can make pothole claims for any damage a pothole causes to your vehicle?
If you are out driving and suddenly hit a fairly significant pothole which ends up causing damage requiring repairs, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Due to the pothole being out of your control, you may not have to pay for the repairs, which we know can be expensive. It’s not guaranteed that your claim will be successful, but it’s worth a try.
Collecting Evidence For Pothole Claims
One of the key factors contributing to your claim will be evidence. This is to prove the pothole’s existence and the damage was caused by that pothole. You need to document the incident by taking photos of the pothole, the road and the location. It may be helpful to make some notes on the description of the pothole such as shape, depth and size.
You will also need to take photos of your car and the damage caused by the pothole. Take a few photos from different angles to show the full extent of the damage and the repairs required. If there were any witnesses try to ask them for a statement. This can be difficult, but some people are more than happy to help once you explain what you are trying to achieve.
Repairs Bills, Costs and Paperwork
To make pothole claims you will need to submit evidence of the cost of the repairs and the work carried out. At Cedar Garage we can carry out a vehicle health check and see if the repairs are required and quote for any costs involved. Keep all the paperwork, receipts and quotes you receive as this will help support your claim.
Talk To The Relevant Authority
Different authorities manage different roads, so you will need to find out the authority of any roads you were driving on to make your pothole claims. For example normal streets and roads around town are usually owned by the local council. Any potholes on A-roads or motorways will fall under Highways England. Further authorities include Transport Scotland, Traffic Wales and The Department for Infrastructure for Northern Ireland.
Receiving Results From Pothole Claims
You may have to wait a while for any results, with some cases lasting several months. There is also no guarantee that your claim will be successful. It is common for the claim to be rejected along with the existence of the pothole, meaning you will need to take further action.
Small Claims Court
If your claim gets rejected, you may want to consider going to a small claims court. You will need to obtain legal advice before doing so, along with consideration of any legal costs.
Your Safety
Your safety is our primary focus. We want to ensure your vehicle is safe and of a roadworthy condition. Wheel alignment can be impacted after hitting a pothole. Even if there is no visible damage, it is best to pop in so we can check your wheel alignment and perform a quick health check. Call us today, book online or find out more about our wheel alignment service.
