Claiming for pothole damage

Lum

The more I think about it, the more I think it's because the previous patch has subsided rather than the actual hole itself. Of course this is pretty much impossible to demonstrate in a photograph, I'd have to lay a stick of wood over the patch and take measurements at several points along, then I'd get run over by someone taking that roundabout at 90+ mph

If you can imagine hitting a speedbump at 50mph, since that's basically what we have here, the damage seems reasonable.

thescouselander

Perhaps it would help your case if you could get a statement from an expert witness. I'm not sure those photos are going to be convincing.

Lum

Best thing I can think of is to go out for a run in a different car and film it. The bump should be fairly obvious if the camera is secured well enough to the car.

Can't really afford an expert witness and it would be cheaper to just get some adjustable wishbones to compensate for anything else that may be bent.

damienmount

I too on Thursday this week had a run-in with a very large pothole in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire. Whilst commuting to work at 6:30 in the morning there was suddenly a very loud thud noise followed immediately by steering pulling me too the left. Having managed to stop safely, I inspected the car and the large pothole and was not amused having seen my 6 week (600 miles) old tyre was flat. I must note that this is the 2nd tyre that I have needed fitting due to potholes. The other one only lasted me 4 weeks!!
This morning I took the wheel to the Formula 1 tyre centre for further inspection and was given even more bad news. Not only did they confirm that the damage was definitely caused by the pothole (due to the splitting of the side wall caused by the impact) but the alloy wheel was damaged during the impact.
I have now taken photo's of the damaged tyre and alloy (kindly marked up by the tyre technician) and of the large pothole in question and have sent with a covering letter to my local council, asking them to compensate me for the damage caused. Having already spent over £200 on 2 tyres over the last 10 weeks and already paying road-tax and duty on fuel, I am reluctant to spend anymore of my money when clearly this is a council issue with the state of the roads. I wait in hope!!!!

I would inclue the pictures of the pothole if I knew how to upload!!!

goldspanners

damienmount wrote: »

Buckinghamshire. Whilst commuting to work at 6:30 in the morning there was suddenly a very loud thud noise followed immediately by steering pulling me too the left. Having managed to stop safely, I inspected the car and the large pothole and was not amused having seen my 6 week (600 miles) old tyre was flat. I must note that this is the 2nd tyre that I have needed fitting due to potholes. The other one only lasted me 4 weeks!!

i really don't mean to seem cheeky here but its happened to you before so should you not have been more aware about the dangers of going down a pothole again?

the fact you seemed really surprised at the loud bang would indicate you never even noticed the pothole in the first place. maybe you should keep a closer eye on the road. it might save you a small fortune.

damienmount

Hi, I totally agree and was annoyed that this happened again and in such a short period of time. However as I mentioned with no street lighting and it being dark at 6:30 a.m., there was really no way of avoiding this.
Bucks has been hit very badly with new potholes appearing by the day so now it's a question of actually being able to find a decent road without any!!!!

phingers

There are far too many 'holier than thous' (excuse the pun) in this thread.

Yes of course you should avoid a pothole but you can't always see them so telling people to drive more carefully, watch where they're going is pointless and arrogant.

Constructive help is what they are seeking so if you can only chastise them for their driving abilities I would suggest shutting your (pot) hole.

goldspanners

damienmount wrote: »

Hi, I totally agree and was annoyed that this happened again and in such a short period of time. However as I mentioned with no street lighting and it being dark at 6:30 a.m., there was really no way of avoiding this.
Bucks has been hit very badly with new potholes appearing by the day so now it's a question of actually being able to find a decent road without any!!!!

you should invest in a set of philips xtreme headlight bulbs then.

goldspanners

phingers wrote: »

There are far too many 'holier than thous' (excuse the pun) in this thread.

Yes of course you should avoid a pothole but you can't always see them so telling people to drive more carefully, watch where they're going is pointless and arrogant.

Constructive help is what they are seeking so if you can only chastise them for their driving abilities I would suggest shutting your (pot) hole.

i was being constructive,open eyes,see pothole,move steering wheel.
every time he does this he saves £200, thats MSE.

ok we all know potholes are annoying but save yourself the time and hassle claiming the council for new tyres and just avoid it. then when you avoid it be a good citizen help other drivers and call the council and report the pothole youve seen if it really concerns you.

kriss_boy

The pot hole looks tiny so you have no chance whatsoever of getting a claim in.

Even if they pot hole had been treble the size of that your still not likely to get a claim. All the council/highways agency have is a duty to inspect the roads periodically at a reasonable freqency.

Say for example a pot hole appeared 24 hours after a prolonged period of snow fall on the roads. Then you drive through it and damage a tyre.

Why would that be your local councils fault and not yours?