California’s Pothole Problem: An Uphill Battle For Pothole Damage Claims & Repairs
Hitting a pothole in California can lead to more than just a bumpy ride—it can be an expensive ordeal. Drivers across the state are filing pothole damage claims, hoping to recover repair costs, but few are getting relief.
In Los Angeles alone, between September 2023 and February 2024, over 1,200 pothole damage claims were submitted, yet only 134 were paid out.
A Call for Lasting Solutions
Pothole repairs shouldn’t be a constant battle. The city is trying to maintain 7,500 miles of streets with a workforce stretched thin.
A more effective approach is needed, and American Road Patch has the solution. Our innovative Peel & Seal product allows cities to stretch their budgets by ensuring that potholes are repaired once, and the repair stays intact.
Instead of wasting resources repairing the same hole repeatedly, cities can apply American Road Patch over the conventional repair, increasing the longevity by years, and move on to the next project. The patch stays intact for years, or until the road is ready to be repaved—at which point it can be milled up without issue.
Statewide Frustrations Mount
The pothole problem isn't just a city issue—it's wreaking havoc on California’s freeways as well. A CBS News California investigation uncovered that damage claims from potholes and debris on state highways tripled recently.
Yet, while the number of pothole damage claims has skyrocketed, Caltrans, the state’s transportation agency, has been slashing payouts. Many drivers find it very difficult to get paid for pothole damage, often strung along by bureaucratic delays until it’s too late to take legal action.
Despite California law holding the state responsible if it knew about a dangerous road condition and didn’t fix it, obtaining the necessary evidence is an uphill battle. Caltrans often delays responding to requests for records, leaving drivers with no choice but to absorb the costs of repairs themselves. The process is so convoluted that many feel the system is designed to discourage claims.
Some drivers have resorted to litigation, including a growing number of class action lawsuits, to recover the compensation they deserve.
However, legal action must be taken within a specific time frame after the incident. Given how rarely payouts are approved, it might be wise for drivers to consider pursuing litigation from the outset to ensure they don’t miss their window of opportunity due to bureaucratic delays.
The Game Changer We Need
American Road Patch is the game-changer that California needs. When adopted widely, it will reduce the need for constant, temporary fixes and save taxpayers money in the long run. Public agencies could benefit from using this solution to ensure that once a pothole is fixed, it stays fixed.
The Road Ahead
As Los Angeles and the state of California wrestle with their pothole problems, the pressure is mounting for effective solutions. The combination of underfunded repair crews and a state agency reluctant to pay out damage claims has left drivers frustrated and out of pocket.
With the innovative solution, American Road Patch, and a push for greater accountability, there’s hope that California’s roads can finally get the attention—and the repairs—they desperately need.
For now, the message to residents is clear: keep reporting potholes, and demand that the fixes are built to last with American Road Patch. The road ahead may be rough, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
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