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Pothole Damage Costs Americans $3 Billion Annually

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
potholes-californiaRecent heavy storms in Sacramento have caused dangerous asphalt pavement failures in the region. Potholes result when water gets under the pavement, disrupting the supporting soil, and vehicle traffic then breaks the weakened asphalt surface. Drivers usually go out of their way to avoid potholes, and — according to a new study — they may have good reason to do so. A recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed that potholes cost U.S. drivers around $3 billion each year. This staggering statistic reflects the financial burden associated with pothole-related car accidents, vehicle damages and medical treatment. According to the AAA study, nearly 16 million U.S. drivers have had some degree of damage done to their vehicles after hitting a pothole. The most commonly reported damage from hitting a pothole includes:
  • Bent wheels
  • Punctured tires
  • Broken shocks or struts
  • Vehicle misalignment
The study also determined the average cost to repair damage from a pothole was $300. Almost one-third of all drivers involved in the study stated their vehicle had sustained damage from a pothole at least three times over the past five years.

CA Home to Worst Roads in Country

In addition to the AAA study, the national transportation research group TRIP released a report that named several urban areas in California as having the worst roadways in the nation. Areas with streets riddled with potholes and other pavement issues include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Concord, San Jose and Sacramento. Due to the extensive disrepair of most streets in these cities, California drivers incur costs of approximately $760 each year to fix damage done to their vehicles. In Los Angeles and the Bay Area (where vehicle maintenance is particularly expensive), motorists spend over $1,000 each year on repairs. Deteriorating streets in California are significantly responsible for raising the national cost of fixing pothole-related damages to $30 billion annually.

Preventing Pothole Damage

In order to diminish vehicle damage caused by potholes, AAA encourages drivers to:
  • Keep tires inflated properly
  • Make sure tires have satisfactory tread depth
  • Slow down, release brakes and steer straight before hitting a pothole
  • Watch the road and increase distance from other vehicles in order to identify potholes and better avoid them
If a pothole led to an auto accident that caused a serious personal injury to you or someone you love, you may be entitled to compensation. Let the car accident lawyers in our Sacramento office aid you in pursing your claim; our skilled attorneys aim to maximize compensation in every case.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our FREE Case Review Form,

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.