Pothole Damage Can Cost You Hundreds Of Dollars

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - It's that time of year again when potholes become a big problem on the roads. They can pop up anywhere and seem to appear overnight, making them almost impossible to avoid.

The damages potholes cause can cost you hundreds of dollars.

Dave Phillips with State Farm joined the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway to discuss potholes and how there is a right way to hit one if you can't avoid it.

Phillips says the damage to your car can cost you, "Anywhere from roughly about $300 to $700."

"Most people think in terms of their tires, but sometimes it's more than that. There's undercarriage damage, there's suspension damage and you might even have some instances where you swerve causing even more damage to your car and others."

The amount of freezing and thawing, along with plenty of ice, is making this pothole season worse than normal. With so many out there, what can you do to avoid damage to your car?

"If you have a chance to see that pothole, but it's unavoidable and you know you're going to hit it, don't brake. You don't want to skid over a pothole you want to roll over a pothole," Phillips said.

He said the reason is when you skid, you lose control and pressing hard on your breaks can cause more damage.

Another piece of advice Phillips gives is if you know you can't avoid the pothole, don't swerve. He says you want to get as much rubber from the tire as possible.

Checking the air in your tires will help too.

"That's going to help cushion that blow of hitting that pothole," he said.

If you want to report a pothole to the state, call 1-800-FIX-ROADS. In the City of Pittsburgh, call 311.

Listen to the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA

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