A family in Jackson, MS has filed a claim with the city after their vehicle hit a hidden pothole so large that it nearly “swallowed one of [their] tires.” WLBT said that Clinton Alexander had been driving home one Sunday night in the rain when he struck a large pothole on Northside Drive near the I-55 Frontage Road. As a result of the impact, his vehicle “suffered heavy front-end damage with a bent control arm, tie rod, strut, and axle.”
After the incident occurred, the damage left the vehicle undrivable which resulted in Alexander unable to take his wife to work or his daughter to school. His vehicle was taken to a repair shop where mechanics estimated that the damage would cost him approximately $3,386.49. After paying for the necessary repairs, Alexander decided to file a claim with the City of Jackson Risk Management Division. He is hoping that the city will reimburse him for the unexpected costs he incurred. However, since, the accident recently occurred, the city will likely need to investigate more into the matter before they provide him with a check for the damage.
Can I file a claim against the city of Jackson, MS if my vehicle sustains damage that was caused by a hidden pothole?
Just like the Alexander family, you are also permitted to file a claim with the City of Jackson Risk Management Division in an attempt to collect the compensation needed to cover your vehicle’s repair bill. You can contact the Risk Management Division at 601-960-1039 where you will be provided with instructions on how to file this claim along with the paperwork that needs to be filled out or you can have Jackson, MS accident lawyer William E. Ballard help you with this.
City of Jackson Shares Tips on How to Avoid Hitting a Pothole
Potholes, sinkholes, and utility cuts are common throughout the streets of Jackson, MS as city workers are constantly working to repair damaged roadways or are required to access utilities underground which can lead to a pothole developing in the road or a utility cut that wasn’t properly filled. While city workers are required to repair these damaged areas, sometimes a driver encounters one that wasn’t properly repaired or overlooked by the city causing them to have to spend a significant amount on vehicle repairs.
Therefore, some tips the City of Jackson recommends you follow to help avoid an accident with a pothole include:
- Allow space between you and the car in front of you. This way you can see if you are approaching a pothole or other rut in the roadway and have time to maneuver around it. This, in return, can help prevent your vehicle from sustaining major damage.
- Drive slower through unknown areas or uncharted roadways as you never know when you might approach a pothole.
- Be cautious when driving in the rain. Potholes can be hidden under puddles, which makes it more difficult to spot them and avoid them.
- Be sure your tires are properly inflated as this will provide you with added protection in the event you encounter a rough or rugged roadway.
In the event you encountered a pothole and it caused your vehicle to sustain serious damage, accident attorney William E. Ballard in Jackson, MS is available to help you file your claim and ensure the city reimburses you for the vehicle repairs you had rendered. In an effort to help prevent others from engaging in the same type of accident as you did, you can also report the pothole on the Jackson 311 app if you have it downloaded on your cell phone or you can call 601-960-1039.
Ballard Law, PLLC is located at:
108 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
769-572-5111
