Potholes are dumb. There, I said it.
Okay, obviously no one likes potholes, and obviously they aren’t something that people intentionally create. However, after 6,000 years, you’d think that we would have a better system to prevent them. Alas, we don’t.
You can see construction workers year-round on our highways and roads, covering cracks and filling in cavernous pits…in many cases, the same holes they filled the previous month. As a result, you not only have to avoid getting in an accident with the workers, but you still have to avoid the holes and risks to safe traveling they represent. That being said, there isn’t much either one of us can do to prevent them from popping up on, or rather digging into, our roadways. There is, however, a lot we can do to decrease the risks that come with them.
Decreasing Pothole Risks
Since we know that potholes are destructive and widespread, it is also important to know how to avoid their risks. The following are a few tips you can use to avoid or control a potentially hazardous pothole collision.
- Maintain your car. Improperly inflated tires can explode when they strike a pothole. Unresponsive steering can drag you into a pothole, and worn shocks can cause the impact of a pothole collision to cause serious injury and damage. To avoid potential risks, routinely check your tire pressure and structure—excessive wear or bulges in the sidewalls can cause a blowout if struck—and also have your dealer or mechanic check the suspension during its quarterly service.
- Stay alert. Potholes are hard to spot, especially in rain and in the dark, and can easily become camouflaged by leaves, or by filling with water or debris. Make sure your headlights are working properly, your windshield is clean, and that you’re always cautious of suspicious areas of the road, for they may be hiding a dangerous hole.
- Control your vehicle. By keeping a firm grip on the wheel (use both hands), you can avoid potholes from causing your vehicle to swerve suddenly or change direction. Keeping the wheel, and thus the car, straight can prevent you from hitting the hole at an angle and causing further impact damage. Controlling your speed and slowly rolling over the hole will help reduce impact force and allow your suspension to absorb the impact rather than having the force spread across the vehicle.
Did you find this article interesting and informative? If so, please share it with your friends and family on Facebook or via email. A simple click can help them learn how to protect themselves and their families from the disastrous effects of a fall into a pothole.
For more information about your legal rights following a pothole accident, contact our office for a FREE consultation and review of your claim.