Latest news with #AccidentClaimsAdvice
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City pays out record-breaking claims after rampant issue wreaks havoc on roads: 'Likely to keep occurring'
The Leeds City Council in England has spent more than £6 million (approximately $8 million) fixing potholes over the last few years. However, it warned that rising global temperatures and heavier rainfall mean potholes are "likely to keep occurring." As the Yorkshire Evening Post reported, despite the council allocating funds to repair potholes across the city, compensation claims for accidents caused by potholes have increased by 70% since 2021, according to data from Accident Claims Advice. The 968 claims filed against the council over the last three years have cost the government £108,000 (around $143,000). In 2023, the council paid out a record amount for compensation claims and has asked for greater financial support from the central government. Leeds City Council's spending to fix potholes has increased steadily since 2021, signaling that the warming climate is outpacing its ability to repair enough potholes before they cause damage to people's vehicles or result in injuries. According to the council, "The frequency of flooding events in Leeds has increased in recent years." In winter, intense rainfall has caused rivers to overflow, while short bursts of heavy downpours in summer have led to more surface water flooding. A combination of rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns causes asphalt to buckle and crack, eventually leading to the formation of potholes. Potholes can damage cars in several ways, resulting in minor inconveniences or significant repair bills. Punctured tires, wheel damage, and suspension issues are most common, but a deep pothole can lead to more severe problems, such as alignment and steering issues or damage to the undercarriage. They also increase the risk of car and bicycle accidents and may cause injuries to unwary pedestrians. "Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths," Public Liability Specialist Beverly Faulkner told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "A crucial part of this is making sure the land under their control is properly maintained. Failing to do this can put people at risk." "It is vital that roads are properly maintained and councils are held responsible for the roads they maintain," she added. Would you live in a city where every road was underground? Sign me up Depends on how it looks Only if you paid me No freaking way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. This is a perfect example to show that even though addressing our warming climate is expensive, ignoring its consequences is far costlier. A study published in Nature Communications found that if action is not taken to address climate change, it could result in global economic losses of between approximately $150 trillion and $792 trillion by 2100. In comparison, limiting warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels by transitioning to clean energy would cost major economies between $16 trillion and $103 trillion. In 2024, investments in clean energy were nearly double those in dirty fuel, and more homeowners are switching to solar power than ever before. These actions will help cool the planet and hopefully lead to fewer pothole issues in Leeds and elsewhere. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kirklees pothole damage claims up more than 220 per cent since 2021
Kirklees Borough Council has spent more than £5.2 million on pothole repairs in the last three years (2022-24), according to research by Accident Claims Advice that used Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The council has also seen a rise in the number of compensation claims lodged against it for damage caused by potholes in the last three years. Accident Claims Advice's investigation indicated that claims against the council for pothole damage have increased by 220 per cent since 2021. 572 legal claims were lodged against it regarding potholes in the last three years, with the figure increasing from 92 claims in 2022 to 294 last year. As well as the £5.2 million spent on pothole repairs in the period, the council paid out a further £13,000 in compensation claims, according to Accident Claims Advice. According to Accident Claims Advice, Kirklees Council confirmed it has 479 potholes in need of repair. Also according to Accident Claims Advice, in 2024, the council settled a record number of claims, paying out £7,966 in compensation for 28 pothole claims. Accident Claims Advice's public liability specialist, Beverly Faulkner, said: "Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways, and footpaths. "A crucial part of this is making sure the land under their control is properly maintained. "Failing to do this can put people at risk. "The damage caused by potholes can be catastrophic, leading to serious injury and/or costly vehicle damage. "It is vital that roads are properly maintained and councils are held responsible for the roads they maintain." More information about Accident Claims Advice is available at
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Council forks out over £55,000 in compensation for pothole damage in last three years
BRADFORD Council paid out more than £55,000 in compensation to drivers for pothole damage over a three-year period, new figures show. According to data obtained by personal injury specialists Accident Claims Advice under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the authority forked out a total of £55,932.25 in pothole compensation claims in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Common problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels. The statistics in the FOI also reveal that the Council spent a total of £639,613.04 in carrying out pothole repairs over those three years. Beverly Faulkner, Accident Claims Advice's public liability specialist, said: "Councils and local authorities have a duty of care to ensure the safety of people using public spaces, such as parks, highways and footpaths. "A crucial part of this is making sure the land under their control is properly maintained. "Failing to do this can put people at risk. "The damage caused by potholes can be catastrophic - leading to serious injury as well as costly vehicle damage. "It is vital that roads are properly maintained." The Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council for a response to the figures - but no comment was received by the time of publication. The head of a House of Commons committee recently branded road conditions across England a "national embarrassment". Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), warned that road users were being put at risk from "highways riddled with potholes". A damning report by the committee found the Department for Transport had "not taken responsibility" for its role in how roads have deteriorated. The cost of bringing pothole-plagued roads in England and Wales up to scratch has been estimated at a staggering £16.3 billion. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "For far too long our roads have been left to crumble - and this PAC report has laid bare the result of the decades of decline we have inherited in our road infrastructure. "That's why we're investing a record £1.6bn for the coming year to help local authorities fix up to seven million more potholes. "Road users are rightly frustrated by patchwork repairs, so we are also committed to multi-year funding settlements to enable Councils to better maintain their road networks and avoid potholes forming in the first place." People can report potholes via Bradford Council's website.
