Some of the dangers of potholes on roads include the following: Wheel and tire damage - Roads with potholes can damage tires, wheels, and brakes. A large, deep pothole in a Montreal street. 1. If accidents become commonplace, its imperative to figure out why and make necessary changes. It also allows the driver and their passengers to have a smoother ride. Did you know that hitting a pothole can equate to the. "url": "https://www.rimdocmd.com/wp-content/uploads/logo.png" Depending on the damage incurred from a pothole encounter, you can file a claim for reimbursement. Every week, Justin uses his keyboard, voice and cameras to share his latest automotive reviews and discoveries with his audience, via multiple Canadian television programs, print and online publications. Browse here for tips and resources that help you get the most out of your insurance and protect whats important in your life. Repeatedly running over potholes can have a detrimental effect on your vehicle's suspension system. A slash does a lot of damage, ensuring that you are immobile until you have the tire repaired or replaced. This can cause a distraction to pass motorists, who look to see what has happened or seek to pull over to try and help out. Hit the wrong pothole the wrong way, and it could ruin your day in quick order. Weather conditions contribute to approximately 11 percent of all fatal car accidents in the United States. These road surfaces tend to react differently to weather and water. It is also safer to increase your following distance in case the vehicle in front of yours suddenly maneuvers to avoid a pothole. This driver has just hit a pothole. Other drivers may accumulate pothole damage over time, resulting in issues later on. Serious vehicle damage ahead istock With the very cold weather, we've experienced this season mixed with a few warm days have really taken a toll on our roadway. We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. 5 Essential Things to Know About Potholes - YourMechanic We all know that uncomfortable jolt that comes from driving our car over a pothole. a tire hits an object on the roadway or a pothole. Specifically, you are required by law to give the negligent state or local government notice of your claim within one year of the date of an accident. So, what happens when youve done your best, but you simply encountered the wrong pothole? A car hits a pothole on a city . Many times, construction and maintenance interfere with the ordinary flow of traffic. The bad suspension will just make the damage worse. There are many different dangers on the road. A bent or cracked wheel is as dangerous as it is unsightly. , Address: Your email address will not be published. During winter months, these puddles could be concealing some very major potholes, and by assuming its just standing water, you could unintentionally do serious damage to your vehicle. Happy motoring. As a result, youll want to check your undercarriage right after hitting the pothole. Call today for a no-obligation review of your claim, and see how Steve Lee can help pull you out of the personal injury hole youre in. 1. They can also cause serious harm to pets, local flora and fauna and ecosystems, as well as damage to peoples property and vehicles. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. If you can reduce your speed then you can likely spot that gnarly pothole a lot sooner. Slow down before you get to the pothole and don't fully brake over it. Hoses and lines can be punctured which can result in fluid leakage. A deflated tire will not stand against potholes. Drivers who frequent pothole-heavy roads should take steps to inspect their tires for signs of dangerous damage regularly. Your undercarriage may become damaged, causing fluids to leak. Hitting a pothole can cause significant damage and might cause you to lose control of your vehicle. WheelerShip . This can be seen with premature wear and tear on shocks and struts. We try to avoid them, but no matter how safe we drive, what roads we take or where we live, car accidents just happen. Pothole Dangers - Drivers Beware - Forbes Despite these agencies having a responsibility to the public to ensure safe roads, most government agencies have immunity from road accident lawsuits through the principle of sovereign immunity. If youre following another vehicle closely, you cant see the road surface coming your way until its too late. Lorraine Explains: Some Chevy Bolt owners left holding the battery, Ford's 2023 F-150 Lightning EV pickup sees five-figure price cut, 2025 Dodge Stealth reported to replace the aging Durango, Best pickup trucks and everything you need to know about pickups, Ontario driver charged $6,845 following Tesla test-drive collision. It can take time to fully understand the best options for a particular geographic area. . Yes, pothole damage is usually covered by auto insurance if you have collision coverage. Grange Insurance671 South High StreetColumbus, OH 43206 Besides being harder to handle, you may experience uneven tire wear. Regardless, pull over, check the wheels, and assess if you can continue to travel on them until you can get the vehicle serviced. 219 Thelma Ave, Here are some other things to look for: If youre concerned at all about the safety of your vehicle after hitting a pothole, its best to have your vehicle checked out by a qualified auto mechanic, and if necessary, repaired. The water expands as it freezes in sub-zero temperatures, taking up more space and forcing the surrounding material to bend and eventually crack to make room. Failure to install or maintain guardrails increases the likelihood of serious car accidents. . Potholes can affect your alignment, causing your suspension and steering to be thrown off. Protecting roads against winter weather, frost and ice is a key way to prevent potholes from happening. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Anti-Human Trafficking | Warranty Make sure you know the proper pressure for your tires and remember . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. That is, if you can read the license plate of the car in front of you, youre probably following too closely. If your exhaust system begins to sound different, get it checked out by your mechanic. "@id": "https://www.rimdocmd.com/blog/2020/03/tips-for-driving-safely-over-potholes/" Call or contact us online today for a free consultation with an experienced pothole accident attorney. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Inspecting Wheel Rims Before Buying a Used Car. Mon - Sun: 9:00AM - 6:30PM. Does your steering wheel seem to be off-center? If drivers arent responsible for accidents caused by unsafe road conditions, who is? Tire Sidewall Damage: Is It Safe To Drive? - Rx Mechanic There are also road conditions that could pose threats as well. Traditional methods of de-icing such as rock salt, are corrosive to surfaces, weakening them and expediting the forming of potholes. So, do your part to help other drivers and the city keep all drivers safe. A welcome email is on its way. Your tires are the first thing to hit a pothole, so its no surprise they could be punctured or go flat after taking on a pothole. Strange or Weird Noises After encountering a pothole, if you start to experience unfamiliar noises, you might have done damage to the underbody of your vehicle or exhaust system. 2023 Driving, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Instead, theyre forced to struggle with painful and expensive injuries that could have been avoided if roads had been properly maintained. To contribute to the conversation, you need to be logged in. References: Regardless, pull over, check the wheels, and assess if you can continue to travel on them until you can get the vehicle serviced. These may include the state or local government responsible for maintaining the road when the governments negligence leads to inadequate maintenance. Shaky Steering Wheel This is likely indicative of a flat tire, bent rim, or now your wheels need to be balanced. Understanding the Link Between Unsafe Road Conditions and Car Accidents These safe driving tips can help you expertly navigate around potholes: Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. How do potholes damage your car? | naijauto.com However, collision coverage does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires resulting from poor road conditions. What are the Dangers of Potholes? | MOOG Parts Roads arent always consistently level. Read more about cookies here. Road signs should be uniform so that drivers, no matter where theyre from, understand what they mean. Your mechanic has the tools and know-how to get your vehicle back into alignment. Potholes often appear in late winter and early spring due to changing temperatures. If you notice the pothole in time, you can better plan how to safely avoid it. Hazards will exist. Here are a few tips by Rim Doctor, which can guide you to drive safely over potholes. Here are the most likely types of damage and their cost. Aside from increasing the likelihood of an immediate or subsequent tire blow-out or failure, potholes also rapidly accelerate wear and tear to vehicle suspension and steering parts, which costs drivers money. Brace for Impact. Depending on the impact, you may want to have a mechanic look over your carespecially if it was enough to damage your wheels. Likewise, on pavements and paths, the hazards of potholes and cracks can cause pedestrians, animals and cyclists to trip, fall and experience injuries during a normal outing. Improve your visibility. Make it easier by following these tips: Sometimes you cant avoid hitting a pothole, but there are things you can do to help minimize the damage to your vehicle when driving over a pothole. -the driver fails to maintain proper tire pressure (older and badly worn tires) the car leans to the direction. If the pothole encounter affects the wheels, theres a higher chance that other parts of your car have been as well. "publisher": { Your undercarriage may become damaged, causing fluids to leak. You may experience vibration or difficulty steering if this happens. This water freezes and thaws and that causes the soil to sink a bit. In order to sue the government agency responsible for the road condition and thus your accident, the American Bar Association states that you must be able to prove the following liability points in your claim: If youre able to prove these five elements of your case, you may be able to successfully file a claim against the government institution that failed to keep you and the road safe. Be sure to ask prospective attorneys if they can take on this type of case. However, some cities and states allow drivers to request reimbursement for pothole damage. At times, these are an annoyance; at others, a costly happenstance. Sign up to receive Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Be prepared. Using our master tip, this is easy but may take some drivers some practice. The sure-fire way to know is to do a physical inspection of the rim. Auto parts How can you minimize car damage caused by potholes? Those road-ruts can cause expensive damage, so do all you can to not drop a wheel in one. As the seasons change, we have to adapt and prepare for inclement weather and all of the conditions this brings. This not only contributes to potholes, but also uneven road surfaces. Just as the jolt of hitting a dangerous pothole can damage tyres and send wheels out of alignment, it can also seriously affect the suspension and make handling far harder. Someone can easily knock a tooth out or bust a lip if they try to drink out of a thermos while hitting a pothole. Most modern vehicles have aluminum-based rims which can be at risk for pothole damage. First and foremost, regardless of the seasons, you should always ensure your tires are properly inflated. Address There are a few signs you may notice if you are driving on a bent rim. The dangers of potholes are amplified when you cant spot them. The government can be responsible for injuries that occur because of employee or agency negligence. If signs are missing, drivers may drive into a create a dangerous situation. How do potholes increase driving risk? | WapCar All Rights Reserved. This simple tip can help all drivers avoid potholes this spring | Driving Braking directly over a pothole can actually cause more damage. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. If this isnt fixed, you risk not only the loss of fluids, but rust can build up over time. Your car will most likely start shaking or pull to either the left or the right while you drive. | ' : ''}}{{lede.tags.join(', ')}}. Even the most cautious drivers can get into an accident when faced with unsafe road conditions. The dangers of potholes are very serious and could get very costly to repair. Thats the third one this morning and you arent even to work yet. Advances in technology can help mitigate these challenges. The government is responsible for identifying and repairing potholes in the roads we drive on daily. As a result, thousands of drivers, passengers, and bystanders suffer injuries through no fault of their own. From Toyota Highlander rims to Nissan Altima options, The Wheelership has everything you need for a higher quality ride. In addition, badly maintained roads can often lead to traffic building up all around them as drivers are obliged to go slower as they work their way around a hazard like this. This is far costlier to fix and is very dangerous to leave unrepaired. Wouldnt it just make sense to slow down if that means protecting your vehicle and any passengers inside? Hopefully, youll find a really big one to hit. ", If you encounter an object in the roadway, choose to . The dirt and soil beneath the asphalt shifts as vehicles pass over the road. Here, you have someone intentionally destroying your vehicle parts to settle a score or for mischief. Potholes arent just a roadway nuisance, they can do real damage to your vehicle and your wallet. All it needs now is for a heavy car to roll over the area to cause a crack in the pavement. Reduce speed as much as possible, but don't slam on the brakes If you've spotted the pothole early, and the conditions around you mean avoiding it is not an option, then attempt to reduce your speed as much as possible without slamming on the brakes. Government agencies must not allow conditions to get so bad that accidents are unavoidable. It happened again you hit another pothole. Avoid puddles on the road! Punctures are very common after hitting a pothole or crack due to the sharp areas inside the pothole or crack where the concrete or other materials used have ripped and are now sticking out at sharp, jagged angles. {{lede.date | date:'dd-MMM-yyyy'}}{{lede.tags.length > 0 && lede.date ? ' Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable. Tips for Driving Safely Over Potholes - Rim Doctor Indianapolis strives to stay on top of potholes year-round. Indianapolis, IN 46268, Last, but not least, weve all heard this one before: SLOW DOWN. They develop when the road surface becomes cracked, worn, or breaks away, eventually forming a hole or depression. Helpful tips on what to do next. The Different Ways That Potholes Can Affect Your Car - WheelerShip Traffic jams are not an uncommon consequence, which leads to impatience, frustration and higher chances of drivers taking dangerous risks to either circumnavigate the queue or make up for lost time by speeding once they drive away from the blockage. Also, you are helping other drivers become aware of some surprising and damaging spots. Driving over a pothole can be more than just a nuisance. The most obvious one of the many dangers of potholes to the driving public is the risk of driving into one, causing the vehicle to skid, swerve or come to an abrupt stop, damaging itself and posing a very real risk for people travelling behind it. Make sure your spare is handy and inflated, so you can get the flat off your vehicle as soon as possible and prevent further damage to the tire, the rim, and ultimately your vehicle. Each time there is moisture on the pavement and the temperatures drop to freezing, ice forms and expands in the smallest cracks. The shoulder is the space between a lane of traffic and the side of the road. Fill Out The Form, Its quick, easy and FREE. "logo": { VAT (Value Added Tax) Number: 340 3662 26, 255 Payday Advances with the Best Payday Rates Online Same day approval Many struggle each month to ensure their daily routines are financially sustainable, from the moment they receive their, How to Deice the Driveway or Sidewalk Without Salt, Four Ridiculously Simple Ways To Improve Your $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day, The #1 $255 Payday Loans Online Same Day Mistake, Plus 7 More Lessons. Drive cautiously. While you should avoid potholes as much as possible, its not realistic to think that youll always be able to safely steer your vehicle around depression or hole in the road. Not every lawyer has the knowledge or resources to handle claims against the government. Also showing alligator cracking, longitudinal lines and subsidence Potholes cause hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to vehicle wheels every year. Contents show How do you reduce vehicle damage caused by a pothole?
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