We’ve all been there, driving along happily when all of a sudden BANG! A pothole seemingly comes out from nowhere and causes you all sorts of trouble.
Its no secret that potholes result in huge amounts of damage to road user’s vehicles, with UK councils paying out millions of pounds in claims every year.
In fact, according to a 2023 estimate by Asphalt UK, it would cost £14 billion to fix the backlog of carriageway repairs on UK roads due to chronic underfunding and deterioration
Hitting a pothole at any speed can cause damage to your vehicle, buckled wheels, burst car tyres and misaligned wheels are all common.
The cause of potholes?
The main cause of potholes is weather, which would explain why the UK has such a big pothole issue.
When water sits on a road’s surface, it begins to seep through and settles under the road its self.
Temperature changes then lead to water expanding and contracting which in turn pushes up on the road surface resulting in deterioration and ultimately a hole.
Another factor in creating potholes is road users. Ironically the very people that potholes bother the most. The weight and strain that cars, 4x4s tyres and trucks in particular put on the roads is a contributing factor.
Over the 12-month period ending in June 2024, vehicles in the UK traveled a total of 332.9 billion vehicle miles, with cars alone accounting for 76% of all motor vehicle traffic. This immense usage significantly contributes to wear and tear, leading to more potholes over time.
How to claim pothole damage to tyres
So what should you do if you are unfortunate enough to damage your vehicle as a result of hitting a pothole?
If the damage is enough to warrant a claim i.e. an EV tyre or wheel needing replaced, then you’d better contact your local council.
If there is no damage to your vehicle it is still advisable to report the pothole so it can be repaired before it creates a problem.