Pothole Accidents

Potholes may not seem like a big deal in parking lots or residential areas, but hit one on the highway and you could be in serious trouble. For most people, potholes might be little more than a nuisance or the reason why your mechanic suggests an alignment during a routine oil change. Unfortunately, there are many cases where potholes are much more serious and troublesome for drivers in and around the Jackson area. If you hit a really deep pothole going at even a moderate speed, an alignment might be the least of your problems.

Losing Control of Your Car After Hitting a Pothole

A common side effect of hitting a particularly dangerous pothole is temporarily losing control of your car. This can be incredibly dangerous on a busy highway or going at moderate speeds. Your car could jump into another lane, which could lead to a collision. You could go off of the roadway. Overcorrection after a loss of control could also lead to an injury-causing or deadly rollover accident. You do not want to be hitting potholes at speed. It’s also possible that a driver in front of you or near you could hit a pothole and have some kind of roadway emergency. Remember to always remain vigilant and refrain from engaging in distracted behaviors behind the wheel. It only takes a split second for somebody to hit a pothole and lose control.

Reporting a Pothole to Authorities

If you’ve noticed or had an incident involving a dangerous pothole, it needs to be reported to the proper authorities. Depending upon where the pothole is located, you will need to contact the state, county or city road authorities. Prepare to give as many details about the pothole as you can. You need to be able to give an exact location and description of the pothole. Can you describe the pothole’s length, width and depth? Was it filled with water, or on a bus route?