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Body shops see dramatic increase in pothole-related damage

This year's turbulent winter has caused pothole problems, something most drivers have experienced in western Pennsylvania.

Channel 11 found Cindy Serra waiting for repairs on the side of I-279N, after she and her car fell victim to a pothole.

"I was driving on the Parkway North and there are potholes everywhere, and I hit a pothole and ended up on the side of the road," said Serra.

Serra is not alone. Critchlow Auto Body has seen a number of cars coming in each day all damaged by potholes.

"It's probably the worst we have seen in the last seven or eight years," said Jeff Critchlow, the owner of Critchlow Auto Body.

Critchlow said his shop is seeing anywhere from fourteen to twenty five flats from potholes a day. While some are minor and just require a new tire, others have far more extensive damage. A Mercedez-Benz at the shop lost two tires to a pothole, but also had bent rims, broken wheels, and likely suspension damage. That could create a bill well over $2,000.

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According to AAA data, flat tire related calls are up twelve percent across the country. Because of the increase in potholes, AAA spokesman Jim Garrity said drivers need to increase their awareness, not only of the road but also of their rights. He said, if the driver is much more than a flat tire, you should contact the municipality in which the car was damaged to file a claim.

Depending on your insurance deductible, it might also make sense to file a claim with them, so you don't have to foot the entire bill yourself.

"It depends on the severity of it. A lot of time you have to pay out of pocket, because the deductible doesn't cover the situation," said Garrity.

When you're driving, be sure to stay away from any puddles on the road, because those puddles could be hiding a pothole. Also, if you see people pulled over on the side of the road, that could be a key giveaway that there are potholes in the area. That's something Serra said she learned the hard way.

They are everywhere. Yesterday I saw four cars pulled over on the side of the road," said Serra.

 

Cox Media Group

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