Los Angeles roads are hazardous to your car\u2019s health. If \u201c40 miles of bad road\u201d comes to mind wherever you travel in L.A., there\u2019s a good chance your car has run into (or over) a tire-eating pothole. Unfortunately, along with epic traffic jams, potholes and L.A. roads go hand-in-hand.<\/p>\n
According to a report (Oct. 4, 2013) by TRIP<\/a>, a nonprofit national transportation research group, Los Angeles has the country\u2019s greatest number of roads in need of serious repair among cities (with more than 500,000 residents), along with the highest annual cost to drivers \u2014 at $800 annually. Ouch!<\/p>\n If you do happen to hit a pothole (very likely), be sure to check your car for possible damage.<\/p>\n Pothole damage can mess up your vehicle in many areas:<\/strong><\/p>\n Some car makers warn that your car\u2019s airbags can actually go off if you strike a large pothole with enough force.<\/p>\n Filing a claim with the city<\/strong><\/p>\n If your car has been damaged by a pothole, you owe it to yourself to file a claim with the City of Los Angeles<\/a>. You can find a “Claim for Damages Form” online at the Office of the City Clerk.<\/p>\n Here are general guidelines to help when you file your claim:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Identify the exact location.<\/p>\n 2. Take photos of the pothole and physical damage to your car.<\/p>\n 3. List names and address of witnesses, doctors and hospitals.<\/p>\n 4. Request street maintenance records for the past year from the Street Services<\/p>\n Bureau for the block where the pothole is located (in case your claim is denied at first).<\/p>\n 5. Complete repairs to your car; save all receipts<\/p>\n <\/p>\n File a claim with your insurance carrier<\/strong><\/p>\n Your car insurance policy<\/a> may cover damages to your tires or steering alignment under your collision coverage, if the damage is more than your collision deductible amount. However, filing a claim<\/a> with your insurance company may not be the best way to go. It may make sense just to file a claim with the city, county or state agency liable for the bad stretch of road.<\/p>\n In Los Angeles, you can report a pothole or bad section of road. Call toll free at 1-800-996-CITY or visit the Online Services Request Form on the Bureau of Street Services<\/a> site.<\/p>\n Los Angeles now has a free app to report non-emergency issues to local government, such as potholes, graffiti, missed trash collections, abandoned vehicles, downed trees, broken traffic lights, broken sidewalks, etc. There\u2019s one for the Android and one for the iPhone.<\/p>\n Tips to minimize damage from potholes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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