Potholes...!!!

[kingbilly]

I have recently been the victim of road potholes resulting in a damaged tyre with a replacement cost of £140.

Are local councils legally liable for my loss...?

Has anyone suffered the same fate and made a claim...either successfully or not...?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Snooze]

Defo worth a try.  Go and take some pictures of the offending potholes then approach your local council. 

My local council was doing some road works few years ago, and had left a new drain hole uncovered.  I went through it and needless to say the result was a huge dent in my alloy.  I went back the next day to take some photos, but the offending hole had subsequently been filled so I had no way of proving it 

[Hyperspace]

Have a look at this site, http://www.potholes.co.uk/, and see what your options are.

Good luck.

[AlanD]

My wheel got ruined by a pothole. Had to get a new one (as it turned out I got new wheels all round as it was a good excuse to change).

Having read some website it sounds like its a complete pug trying to claim so didnt bother.

[wuker]

Councils are definately liable for the damage caused to your car. However as some one else mentioned make sure you take some pictures of the pot hole and then make a claim.
I have also heard that if the council have been told about a pot hole then they would normally put yellow or white lines around it. If this is the case then (i think) you'll find it hard to make a claim as they have recognised they have a pot hole and indicated to the drivers that there is damage to the road.

When we had the bad snow fall beginning part of last year I made a claim after hitting a pot hole and got back 75% of the replacement tyre value.

[as400]

Do you think 18"ers are more prone to pothole damage than 17's?

[Rhyso]

Do you think 18"ers are more prone to pothole damage than 17's?

All depends on the strength of the wheel and tyres themselves so I'd say no 

I spend half my time driving down the middle of the road to avoid the potholes 

[Chris MKV]

Do you think 18"ers are more prone to pothole damage than 17's?

Yes of coures.  There is less air space between the road and the rim - why do you think Landrovers have a foot and a half of tyre sidewall?! 

[Snooze]

18's are definitely more prone to damage than 17's.  17's are smaller which means they are stronger.  Plus with 18's the tyre profile is less which means there is less tyre to cushion your alloys and they are even more prone to damage.  Generally the smaller the rim diameter the stronger it is.  Cheap alloys are even more prone to damage also as they are most likely to be made of a cheaper alloy.

[bmimily]

contacting the council is worth a try. depends what  the council are like, some readily pay out and some you have to be persistant.