Jan 12, 2022
Driving in Los Angeles can be a dangerous endeavor – particularly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. As we noted in a past blog, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that severe and fatal car accidents increased in nearly every category throughout the first half of 2021.
With the uncharacteristic December weather that included winter storms and rain, many in Southern California had to deal with road closures and even evacuations. In addition to those inconveniences, two recent reports confirm many Los Angeles drivers are experiencing another issue in their daily travels – potholes.
A recent Spectrum News 1 report notes that although Angelenos may have initially welcomed the December rains, the aftereffect is causing major headaches for drivers. Between the first rain of the season on December 27 and January 7, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works received 1,653 reports of potholes from drivers. That figure has skyrocketed since the same time last year when 610 pothole reports were received.
The increased number of potholes around Los Angeles is reportedly a result of heavy rains and cold nighttime temperatures which can cause the asphalt to crack as water seeps into crevices.
According to Spectrum News, the Department of Public Works typically inspects pothole reports within one business day of receiving a call via their 3-1-1 service. Repairs are typically completed within three business days of receiving a call.
But a report from ABC 7 indicates that potholes damaged a number of vehicles on Aviation Boulevard near the Los Angeles International Airport last week.
One Los Angeles resident – Daniel Cardenas – was hit with over $400 in repairs after two of his vehicle’s tires were damaged by potholes.
“I would just hope that the city, with all the taxes that we’re all collectively paying, would put some priority into the infrastructure of our city,” Cardenas told ABC 7.
According to ABC 7, there have been more than 1,600 reports of potholes on L.A. streets since the beginning of the new year. Furthermore, the city confirms receiving as many as 40 new reports of potholes every day – with those figures increasing following recent rainstorms.
Spectrum News reports that American drivers often pay somewhere between $250 and $1,000 to repair pothole-related vehicle damage. Additionally, the Automobile Club of Southern California responds to more than 660,000 calls for flat tire assistance each year – with the vast majority being a result of pothole damage. Calls for tire service to the Auto Club were reportedly up 6% in December.
The Automobile Club of Southern California offers the following tips for drivers who encounter potholes during a commute:
“Hitting even one severe pothole could pop a tire or alter the alignment of a wheel from suspension damage resulting in uneven tire wear,” Megan McKernan, manager of the Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center, told Spectrum News. “A broken shock or strut from hitting a pothole could alter the steering and handling of a vehicle and create dangers when driving at higher speeds or in tight corners.”
“Really maintain your tire pressure, and that’s really important. You want to have the proper inflation level in your tires. That’s really going to help also with navigating the potholes,” Mckernan told ABC 7. “If you have properly inflated tires, less likely, you’ll experience, you know, a puncture or flat.”
A driver who suffers an injury due to a roadway defect condition accident may be eligible to recover financial compensation. Depending on the specific circumstances, a roadway defect or pothole-related accident that causes an injury may constitute a civil claim in pursuit of damages.
However, in order for a civil claim to brought, the injured party must demonstrate that the entity responsible for maintaining a roadway was negligent in failing to make appropriate repairs. Hence, if you ever encounter a pothole or other roadway defect in or around Los Angeles, it is recommended that you report the location immediately by dialing 3-1-1.
If you’ve suffered an injury due to a pothole or roadway defect accident, you may have a limited window to file a claim. Although car accident civil claims are typically bound by a two-year statute of limitations, roadway defect incidents are often brought against government or public entities. Accordingly, the statute of limitations may be much shorter – potentially only six months from the date of the accident.
If you experienced a Pothole-Related Injury, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
Eligible damages will vary on a case-by-case basis and depend on the nature of a specific accident. Examples of damages that may be obtained through a pothole-related accident injury claim include:
Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) experienced team of attorneys are available for free consultations and to answer any questions you may have regarding a car accident injury claim. Contact us 24/7 via 866-GO-SEE-SAM.
DLG’s proven personal injury lawyers have helped clients recover more than $100,000,00 in settlements and verdicts with a 98% success rate. If you’ve suffered an injury due to negligence, get the justice you deserve by contacting DLG today.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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