Latest news with #vehicledamage
CBC
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CBC
Pothole problems: here's how you can protect your car and your wallet
When Deanna LeBlanc of Riverview was driving down the Trans-Canada Highway last Sunday, she hit a pothole in a construction zone near the Salisbury exit that was so deep, the impact made her bite her lip and caused her car to start shaking. The hole blew out LeBlanc's tire, costing her $440 in repairs. She said there was no warning about the hole the size of a "crater" that she later learned had ruined the afternoon for other drivers, too. "I couldn't pull over because there were five cars on the side of the road," LeBlanc told Information Morning Mocton. On the heels of the spring thaw, and with heavy rains in May, many roads have become littered with huge potholes. The owner of Dynamic Towing, the company that eventually came to LeBlanc's rescue, told CBC it was called to tow about 25 vehicles in the span of 24 hours on that stretch of highway — all of which had flat tires due to one nasty pothole. "It's absolutely terrible. It shouldn't be left like that on the weekends," LeBlanc said. "They should be protecting us and they're not." In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said crews have since been to the area to do patch work. The CBC also contacted MRDC Operations Corporation, the private contractor responsible for maintenance of that stretch of highway, but received no response. Trying to recoup your losses So, how likely is it that a driver like LeBlanc will be reimbursed for damage to their vehicle? And what can you do to avoid potholes in the first place? A 2021 study by the Canadian Automobile Association, or CAA, found poor road conditions cost Canadian drivers $3 billion per year in repairs and other hidden costs. That's an average cost of $126 per year for a driver. LeBlanc said she plans to file a claim for her tire replacement with the construction company she was told was hired as a sub-contractor for that area. "I think I got a fight in front of me," she said. Julia Kent, the director of advocacy and community relations for CAA Atlantic, said there are many avenues drivers can take to try to get reimbursed for damages to their vehicles caused by poor road conditions. She suggests starting with the municipality, because some accept claims from drivers who believe the damage was caused by neglect by the local government. "Whether or not you're going to win that claim depends on your instance in particular," Kent said. Typically, claims forms can be found on a city or town's website and lay out specific conditions for reimbursement. For instance, the City of Moncton states on its form that any claims for pothole damage will be denied and that drivers need to prove the city is liable in court. Kent said drivers can also contact their insurance provider, but many don't because they worry it will increase their premium, or because the deductible is greater than the cost of repairs. LeBlanc's incident happened on a provincial roadway, which complicates the question of jurisdiction, Kent said. According to its own claim form, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure must conduct an investigation when a claim is submitted regarding damage to property. In an email, the department said it encourages drivers to take precautions and follow posted speed limits in construction zones. What to remember in pothole-prone areas The same CAA study found 48 per cent of roads in Canada are not considered to be in good condition, nor are they maintained consistently, Kent said. She echoed the advice of the province to slow down in construction zones, saying it's the best way to diminish the chance of major damage. She also advises drivers not to swerve to avoid a pothole, explaining it can be dangerous to you and the drivers around you. If you do hit a pothole hard, pull over. "We do see so many near misses and sometimes collisions with people pulled over on the side of the road," she said, adding that it's important to take extra precautions in that situation. Calling your local towing company is your next step, Kent said. And she said it's best to stay in your car until help arrives. She is calling for a more proactive approach on behalf of the government when it comes to fixing deteriorating roadways, saying it will save everyone money in the long run to do the work now.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hernando couple looking for suspect that drove into their property
HERNANDO, Miss. — A Hernando couple could be out of thousands of dollars after someone crashed into both of their vehicles and their garage over the weekend and took off running. That couple is now calling on the community to help them find the driver. The Garrity Family said shock was their initial reaction after they were awakened by the sound of their property being hit. They said it's a situation you just can't make up. The moment you see the dark-colored SUV hit their vehicle is about the same time their dog began to alert them. The vehicle, believed to be a Chevy Equinox or something similar, was seen driving away moments after the collision. Accidental photo captures moment MS man saves couple from burning truck By the time the couple got outside to assess the damage, the SUV was gone and their truck and Jeep were damaged, their garbage can was crushed, their garage was totaled and even some potential structural damage inside. The family said that while this has been a lot to process, their community has been there to support them as they look for answers. 'We've got neighbors right behind us that came over the very next day or the same day actually and we were all playing super sleuth, driving around looking for the car, walking down the street picking up the parts that had fallen off of their car and stuff like that, trying to find the matches,' Mike Garrity said. 'That's how we ended up finding what kind of vehicle it was because one of the part numbers was lying on a piece that was in our driveway.' 'And the bigger pieces, the police took [them] with them once they came and took the report,' Bobbie Garrity said. The family said that due to it being a holiday, they will have to wait to get estimates on the damages. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
