As winter gives way to spring, California drivers need to be extra mindful of potholes, which can do damage to your vehicle’s tires, alignment, steering, suspension, rims and body. The damage done to your automobile may result in costly repairs. Forbes Magazine cites a recent study by AAA auto club indicating that American drivers spend $3 billion per year on repairs to vehicles due to potholes.
If you think your vehicle may have sustained damage because of a pothole, take it for an inspection of the undercarriage, tires and suspension by an ASE-certified technician as soon as you can. The problem may get worse if you ignore it, and therefore become more costly to fix.
A vehicle in need of repair has the potential to break down on the road and potentially become involved in an accident. However, that is not the only way that potholes can contribute to collisions. In your focus on identifying and avoiding them, you may become less aware of your surroundings and the other vehicles in your immediate vicinity. The evasive maneuvers that you make to steer clear of the depression in the road may result in a collision with another vehicle. Be sure that you keep your priorities straight; avoiding a pothole is not worth having an accident.
There are steps you can take to minimize the potential of damage to your vehicle due to potholes. If driving through a roadway depression is inevitable, do not slam on the brakes or drive over it at speed, as either course of action can result in major damage. Rather, slow down and drive carefully over the pothole, keeping your steering wheel as straight as possible. You can also help prevent damage to your tires by keeping them at optimum inflation levels.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.
