What Happens if Your Vehicle Is Damaged by a Pothole?

There are certain road hazards you should always keep a watchful eye out for. Sharp curves, random debris, speed bumps, and potholes are all things that can do more damage than you’d expect if you hit them the wrong way. Potholes are notorious for giving drivers trouble because they may be deeper than they appear when you drive over them. So what happens if your vehicle is damaged by a pothole? Fortunately, we have some advice to help get you and your vehicle back on the road.

Assess the Damage

If you hit a pothole hard enough that you think it did some serious damage to your car, you may want to pull off to the side and try to assess the damage. Some of the most common damage brought on by potholes is to your tires, hubcaps, suspension, and steering. You may not be able to tell at a cursory glance if your suspension is misaligned, but you can check if there’s any noticeable tire damage or if your hubcap became loose or disconnected entirely.

Visit a Body Shop

If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole, you may want to bring it to your nearest body shop. Body shops handle exterior repairs to vehicles, such as misaligned suspension or larger dents. Your local body shop worker should be able to give you a general idea of what sort of damage the pothole caused. They can also give you a rough estimate of how much it will cost to fix it.

Speak to Your Insurance Company

It’s always a good idea to speak with your insurance company in the event of an accident. Depending on your insurance policy, pothole damage sometimes falls under collision coverage, so your insurance may cover some of the cost. It may also be a good idea to contact your local or state government to see if they can cover some of the cost. Many highways in Illinois allow drivers with pothole damage to submit a claim to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for potential reimbursement. A few quick phone calls may help save you a lot of money and hassle on repairs.

For more information on auto accident repair and a local body shop you can trust, River North Collision Repair is here for you. We offer a range of bodywork from bumper repair to dent removal. To learn more about our services or book an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us anytime, and we’d be happy to get you back on the road.