Pothole Accidents in Philadelphia: Causes, Injuries, Liability, and Prevention

It is nearly impossible to drive anywhere in Philadelphia without encountering potholes. Even when you know where they are, avoiding them can be difficult. New ones appear every spring, and older ones continue to grow. These road hazards can cause significant damage to vehicles and serious car accidents.

Hitting a pothole can be a jarring experience. Even a new or shallow-looking pothhole can cause extensive damage, and the sudden impact may cause a driver to lose control. In some cases, simply reacting to a pothole can lead to a crash, as drivers may panic and swerve into another lane or object.

How Do Potholes Form?

Potholes begin when water seeps into cracks in the pavement. As temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, pushing and stressing the asphalt. When temperatures rise again, the ice melts and leaves gaps beneath the surface. Passing vehicles then weaken the pavement further, causing it to collapse and break apart. This freeze-thaw cycle repeats throughout the season, creating and enlarging potholes.

Poor road maintenance and aging infrastructure can make the problem worse. Regular repairs are essential to keeping roads safe, but not all roadways are addressed in a timely manner.

What Damage Can Potholes Cause?

Potholes can damage many parts of a vehicle. While tires and wheels often take the first hit, more serious damage can occur:

• Tire bubbles, bulges, and blowouts
• Wheel and rim damage
• Suspension damage
• Steering and alignment issues

Sometimes the damage is immediate and obvious. In other cases, it develops over time, leading to rapid tire wear or worsening mechanical issues.

How Potholes Cause Accidents and Injuries

Potholes can cause accidents in several ways. A driver may lose control upon impact, or they may swerve suddenly to avoid the pothhole and strike another vehicle or object. Large potholes can also cause a vehicle to jerk violently, throwing occupants forward and backward. Pedestrians and cyclists can also be hurt if a driver loses control while reacting to a pothhole.

Common injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Neck and back strains
• Concussions
• Fractures and soft-tissue injuries
• Internal injuries

How to Avoid Pothole-Related Accidents

While pothholes are often unavoidable, you can reduce your risk:

• Maintain proper tire pressure: Low tire pressure makes tire damage more likely.
• Avoid sudden swerves: Remain aware of surrounding vehicles so you do not swerve into oncoming traffic or another lane.
• Slow down: If you cannot avoid a pothhole, slow down and keep the steering wheel straight while driving through it. Sudden braking or hitting the pothhole at high speed can increase damage.

Who Is Responsible for a Pothole Accident?

Determining liability after a pothole-related crash can be complex. Several parties may be responsible:

Another Driver

A driver who swerves dangerously or loses control after hitting a pothhole may be liable if their actions cause a crash.

Product or Installation Defect

If a tire or wheel fails prematurely due to a defect or improper installation, the manufacturer or auto shop may be responsible.

Government or Municipality

Government agencies are responsible for maintaining roadways. However, claims against a city, county, or state can be challenging. To be successful, you must show:

• The government knew or should have known about the pothhole
• The pothhole was not repaired within a reasonable time
• The failure to repair it caused the accident

Additionally, claims against government entities have strict notice deadlines, often as short as 30 days. Many states also follow comparative negligence rules, meaning the government can argue you shared responsibility if the pothhole was widely known or avoidable.

Because of the complexity of these claims and the short filing window, contacting an attorney as soon as possible is crucial.

Speak With a Philadelphia Pothole Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a pothhole-related accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. can review your case and determine who may be liable. Call 267-861-7100 or complete our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia and King of Prussia, we serve clients throughout Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.