-
Feb 8, 2008 6:01 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Filing A Claim For Pothole Damage To Your Car
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
If you drive into one of the many potholes that are popping up all over the Chicago area, you could be out big bucks. But CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker says you could be reimbursed, if you know the right way to file your claim.
Dan Fahey that something hit a huge pothole along Route 72 in Des Plaines. In the last couple of months he's hit so many potholes in the northwest suburbs that he's either had to repair or replace three tires and two rims.
"If you add up the two rims, the tire, the rental car, you're looking at $800," Fahey said.
He's got the bills to prove it, and according to the state, with this kind of proof, Fahey's got a chance to be reimbursed because Route 72 is maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
There is a claims process, which you can access on IDOT's Web site. In addition to a copy of your bills, you'll need the exact location of the pothole, the time and date. If investigators conclude that IDOT knew about the pothole, but didn't fix it, you're in luck.
"If we fail to fix it, we've got a duty to pay for the damage that was caused," said IDOT spokesperson Mike Claffey.
The City of Chicago has a similar process, but believe it or not Chicago is a bit more lenient. It doesn't matter whether the city knew or didn't know about the pothole. Ald. Ed Burke, who heads the department that investigates claims, thinks drivers should be reimbursed for their pain.
"We're not giving away money but we don't want to deny a claim that's valid," he said.
With the city you've got a good chance of your claim being approved. Of the more than 700 claims filed last year, 85 percent were paid.
To increase your chances, get a police report, witnesses and maybe a photo.
To file a damage claim for a pothole on a Chicago street,
click here to contact the City Clerk's Office.
If your car was damaged because of highway construction or repair on a Chicagoland expressway or tollway,
click here to file a claim with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)