Whether you’re headed to work or out on the town, hitting a pothole can seriously disrupt your trip. In addition to being alarming, it could injure you or one of your passengers, or damage your car. So who’s to blame when the doctor or auto mechanic bills start piling up? If you’re wondering whether you’re entitled to compensation after hitting a pothole, consult the following guide before meeting with a car accident attorney.

Who's at Fault When I Hit a Pothole?

Hitting a pothole is a type of collision, so it’s certainly possible to receive compensation with the help of a car accident attorney in an at-fault state. If the collision caused a blowout or similar tire issue, you might want to hold the manufacturer or installer at fault. If the hole in the road was responsible for the damage to your vehicle, you’ll want to file a claim against the municipal authority in charge of maintaining the pavement.

If you run into a pothole in New York City, you certainly have a chance to receive compensation by filing a claim through The New York City Department of Transportation. Just make sure you document evidence of the damage and file the claim within 90 days. If you run into a pothole anywhere else in New York State, you’ll have a harder time. From November 15 to May 1, it’s considered “pothole season,” and because these asphalt flaws are more likely during this period, the government won’t reimburse drivers. If you hit a pothole outside of this season, the maximum award you’ll receive is $5,000.

How to Minimize Damage When You Encounter a Pothole

There are two main ways in which a pothole might damage your vehicle—one, you collide with the hole, and two, you swerve to avoid it, colliding with another object or vehicle. If you see a pothole ahead and there is not enough room to swerve, reduce your speed carefully, but don’t slam on the brakes. Hitting the depression at a lower speed will reduce the damage to your tires, rims, suspension system, and exhaust system. You can also keep your tires safe during pothole season by ensuring they’re filled to the manufacturer-recommended PSI, which you can find in the manual. If you’re on a straight road and there are no vehicles behind you, you can swerve to avoid the pothole—however, it’s still just as important to slow down.

If you or your vehicle was harmed due to a pothole collision, turn to the car accident attorneys at Neimark & Neimark today. Based in New City, NY, this firm proudly represents clients in Orange and Rockland counties, and they have 40 years of experience fighting for compensation in personal injury cases. If you’re looking for a trusted team that has recouped millions for victims, call (888) 725-7424 to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney today. You can also visit the website to learn more about their practice areas.