What to do if you hit a pothole
If you’re wondering what to do if you hit a pothole, you’re no alone. Pothole related incidents were up by 33% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with the RAC attending nearly 30,000 pothole related breakdowns.
There are thought to be more than a million potholes on UK roads, and although the Government has set aside 5 billion pounds to repair roads it’s likely that, for the foreseeable future at least, pothole damage will still be a problem for motorists.
Here, we’re going to look at ways to avoid pothole damage and what should you do if you’ve hit a pothole.
What damage can a pothole cause?
Pothole damage can depend on the vehicle you’re driving, the speed you were driving at and the depth and size of the pothole.
The damage we commonly see as a result of hitting a pothole is:
- Punctured tyres
- Vehicle misalignment
- Cracked or buckled alloy wheels
- Damaged or broken suspension components
What should you do if you hit a pothole?
If you unexpectedly hit a pothole, you may immediately feel something isn’t right with your vehicle. You may hear a strange noise, feel a vibration, or simply suspect your vehicle isn’t handling as it normally does. If you’re in this situation here’s what you should do:
- Pull over as soon as possible in a safe place. We’d advise you visually check your vehicle for damage. Look for punctured or flat tyres, bent alloy wheels. If you spot a problem, it’s best to get your vehicle recovered to your local garage.
- Even if your vehicle seems to be driving normally, it’s always best to get it checked over in a garage workshop. Even if you were only travelling at a moderate speed when you hit the pothole, that can be enough to knock wheel alignment out which over time can cause uneven, premature tyre wear. While your vehicle is on the ramp, alignment technicians will also check your tyres, steering and suspension. These checks are carried out free of charge, so if all is well it won’t cost you a penny and will give you peace of mind.
How to avoid pothole damage
Potholes are difficult to avoid, in fact there’s said to be around 6 potholes per mile on UK roads. They’re not only annoying but can be very bad news for your car. We see damage caused by potholes every week, which can range from punctured tyres to damaged steering, suspension not forgetting cracked and buckled alloy wheels.
Whilst you may not be able to avoid potholes altogether, there are ways to protect your vehicle and lessen any damage they may cause.
Preventing pothole damage
Check your tyre pressures
Correctly inflated tyres will really help reduce any damage caused by potholes by lowering your chances of having a blow-out or puncture.
Be alert
Looking out for potholes and having good road awareness could help you avoid a pothole altogether. This is always the best way to avoid damage although you do need to ensure it’s safe to drive around a pothole first to avoid other potential hazards and accidents.
Slow down
Hitting a pothole at speed increases the likelihood on serious damage.
Watch for puddles.
If it’s raining, be aware that what looks like a puddle could be a large pothole.
Grip your steering wheel.
Hitting a pothole could cause your car to veer off to the side. Having a firm grip of the steering wheel will help you stay in control.
Keep your distance
Leaving a suitable gap between you and the vehicle in front will help you react in time if that vehicle hits a pothole.
Avoid harsh braking
If you do hit a pothole, don’t slam on your brakes as this will only put more strain on your car’s suspension system. It could also cause an accident with the vehicle behind you so slowing down by easing off the accelerator is safest.
How to report a pothole
If you encounter a pothole, it’s always advisable to contact your local council to report it. You can do this for potholes on roads, pavements or footpaths. Make sure you have as much detail as possible including the size and location of the pothole.
The UK Government website has a dedicated pothole reporting page which is easy to use. There are also non-profit organisations such as FixMyStreet.com which make reporting a pothole quick and easy.
How to claim for pothole damage
If your car has been damaged by hitting a pothole it is possible to claim compensation. To do this successfully takes time and enough evidence to support your case so be prepared. Many authorities will do everything they can to avoid paying however, they did pay out more than £22.7 million in compensation last year, (according to research by Citroën) so if you’re prepared it is possible to claim your share.
You can only make a successful claim for pothole damage if you can prove the authority managing the road was at fault. Potholes are inevitable in the UK climate, so you need to show the pothole should have been fixed before you hit it and the authority has been negligent.
The first thing you need to do is gather details on the pothole. You need evidence of it’s location and size, as well as the damage it’s done to your car. Photographs are the best way to support detailed evidence but take them only if it’s safe to do so. Having measurements of the pothole and a sketch of the locations along with details of the damage and why the pothole was responsible.
To claim enough to cover the vehicle repairs, get quotes from 2-3 trusted garages. It’s also worth downloading your last MOT certificate as this can help prove the damage wasn’t present before you hit the pothole.
Who to claim from for pothole damage
The claim for damage caused by a pothole, you’ll need to know which organisation manages the road where your vehicle was damaged.
For local roads, you’ll need to contact the local council whereas if the damage happened on a motorway or major A-road, you’ll need to contact Highways England, now known as National Highways.
What you need to claim for pothole damage
Martin Lewis editor of The Money Saving Expert has a detailed guide on how to claim for pothole damage. In it, these key points are raised:
- To count as a pothole, the hole must usually be at least 40mm deep – about the height of two 20p coins. If the one you hit wasn’t that deep you can still make a claim, but it could be tougher.
- To claim for the damage, you’ll have to prove the pothole caused the damage to your vehicle. Ask your local garage to put this in writing for you and provide a quote for repairs.
- The UK’s highway authorities and agencies are legally obliged to maintain roads to a safe standard. That includes fixing potholes. There’s no explicit sentence in law which covers claiming for potholes, but there are laws which force authorities to keep the roads safe – and that’s what you’ll be claiming the authorities have failed to do.
- In England and Wales, the relevant legislation can be found in Parts 42-58 of the Highways Act 1980.
- In Scotland, it’s Part 1 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.
- In Northern Ireland, it’s Article 8 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993.