Pothole damage awareness
After a sharp rise in the number of compensation claims, motorists are being warned to be on the lookout for road damage.
According to the AA, the number of car accident claims for pot-hole related damage to cars has soared significantly. In 2009, £47 million was paid out in pot-hole linked settlements.
Simon Douglas, director of the AA, said “If you hit a pothole and afterwards you notice vibration, the steering wheel doesn’t ‘centre’ properly or it pulls to one side, get the car checked immediately, as faults such as tracking or steering damage can lead to later expense or even an accident.”
Mark Monterio, insurance expert, commented on pothole accident claims: “With the average repair cost for pothole damage amounting to £240 and some bills as high as £2,710, it is vital that drivers are increasingly vigilant on the roads and take the necessary precautions to avoid being left out in the cold financially.”
Drivers pay out around £2.8 billion in repairs every year, due to potholes. Such issues are a major cause of axle and suspension failure, which account for a third of all mechanical issues on UK roads.
Updated on 22/02/2010