Potholes can damage cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pretty much any type of vehicle there is. Unfortunately, potholes may even damage you.
Accidents Caused by Potholes
There are many ways a pothole can lead to a vehicle accident. In fact, one-third of all traffic-related deaths are caused by poor road conditions. An impact with a pothole can also be comparable to a 35-mph car accident.
An example of a pothole leading to an accident may be when a driver avoids a pothole at the last moment, swerving into your lane causing a collision. Another example may be when a driver suddenly stomps on his or her brakes when approaching a pothole and you can’t stop in time, colliding with the rear of the vehicle. These types of accidents can lead to very serious injuries.
When these things happen, who is responsible for your injury, your medical bills, and the damage to your vehicle? The answer is somewhat tricky.
In New Jersey, there are certain legal hurdles to jump through in this type of situation. Most times, accident damage will fall under a driver’s car insurance. However, there are times when a municipality, city, or state may be liable for the damages related to the accident.
Injuries are even trickier. When an accident caused by a pothole leads to injury, extreme negligence needs to be proven for the case to proceed through the legal system. An example of extreme negligence would be when a city or town is aware of a dangerous pothole but does not take any action to warn drivers.
It’s helpful to report a pothole when you see one, especially when it looks like it can cause damage to a vehicle. Contact the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and make sure to mention the following details:
- The exact location of the pothole
- A proper description of the length, width, and depth of the pothole
- If there was rainwater or excess runoff water in the pothole
It is important to remember that the unexpected is normal when it comes to potholes. Anything can happen. Since a dangerous situation can arise out of nowhere, it is important to make sure that you are not speeding and are making safe decisions while driving. Otherwise, hitting a pothole could cause an accident with potentially very serious injuries.
Contact Us Today If You Have Been in An Accident
As one of New Jersey’s most experienced auto accident and personal injury attorneys, Anthony Carbone knows that cautious drivers have the best chance to avoid serious car accidents. While not all things are unavoidable, potholes can be, so just be on the lookout while you are driving.
If you have been injured in a car accident or suffered vehicular damage because of a pothole, contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today to set up a free consultation. We can get you the compensation you need.