Winter is at an end and if you’re a regular driver on our roads at this time of year, you’ll know that the beginning of Spring is also known as Pothole season – and you’ll be using all your skills on the road to avoid becoming a victim of a pothole accident!
I’m sure many of you have noticed that they’ve sprung up all over the place. Anywhere that saw the snow over the Christmas period is likely to be worse affected. As soon as water seeps in the cracks of the roads and pavements, it can freeze and expand which breaks open the concrete and forms large potholes.
It really is pothole season!
I’ve been dodging them since my return to work yesterday. Having been the victim of one back in 2013 when my alloy wheel needed to be refurbished and a new tyre was required after I hit a massive pothole on a country road – I’m definitely more wary of them. The damage can run in to hundreds or thousands of pounds, and many will end up being injured as a result of the accident as well.
We here at The Injury Lawyers represent a lot of people who have suffered at the hands of a pothole. From trippers to motorcyclists to drivers hitting them and either crashing or sustaining jolt / whiplash injuries, it’s important to know your rights.
The repair bill according to media reports is already going to be an issue for councils so we could face quick fix jobs which wear away again quickly or potholes not being repaired for long periods of time. As a victim of a pothole accident, what do you need to do?
Step 1 – seek medical advice
This is always important. If you are injured, get seen by an expert for help. If you were in a vehicle at the time then get your vehicle checked as soon as possible as well to make sure there is no hidden damage that could suddenly reoccur when you’re driving.
Step 2 – take photos (lots of them!)
The more the merrier! Take several snaps of the pothole showing it from several angles and distances, and importantly, take shots that show the depth and width. Use a measuring device to clearly demonstrate the depth and width of the hole as we need this information to help us assess the merits of the case.
It goes without saying to make sure that you take care when taking photos, particularly when the defect is on the road.
Step 3 – call our expert claims team
Whether it’s a vehicle accident or a trip or fall caused as a result of a pothole, call our team 0800 634 7575 for friendly advice about your options.
We’ll talk you through the process and if you want to get a pothole claim moving forward, we can take your instructions there and then to get it sorted.