Pothole Damages: What You Can Do To Fight For Money

PITTSBURGH,None — It's that time of year when potholes are popping up throughout the area. Target 11's Rick Earle uncovered what you can do if your car is damaged by a pothole.

Earle talked to Marlene Brown, who hit a pothole on Route 88 in her new car. It cost her nearly $400 to fix it.

"The tire was good, but I had to buy a whole new wheel," said Brown

While Brown didn't have any luck getting reimbursed, Target 11 found you can get money back. Attorneys said it depends on where the driver hit the pothole.

"If you hit a pothole on (Interstate) 376 or the turnpike, forget about it. (Interstate) 79, you are out of luck. You are out of luck for property damage. They are immune," said Cynthia Danel, attorney with Edgar Snyder and Associates. "The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the turnpike won't pay for damages, and there's nothing you can do about it,"

Earle found out if you can prove Pittsburgh and other municipalities knew about the pothole and didn't fix it in a timely manner you may get some cash back.

"You need to show someone made them aware orally or by telephone or that they knew or should have known that the pothole was there," said Danel.

Earle pulled the numbers, and during the past five years on Allegheny County roads, 122 drivers filed claims, but only 18 received money for damages. The county paid a total of $6,186.

If you hit a pothole in the city of Pittsburgh, your chances of collecting are better.

In the past five years the city paid out nearly $40,000 to 113 drivers.

In most cases, the city and county will only cover your deductible.

Earle also checked with several other townships and cities in the area and most said they don't pay for damages. Attorneys said drivers can still take municipality officials to court in an effort to collect money for damages.

Carnegie Mellon University has set up a website to help drivers track potholes. For more information, click HERE

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