Potholes have long been a persistent problem for drivers in Houston.
Carolyn Washington lives in Houston and says she recently encountered a major pothole near the intersection of Belfort and Kirkwood. Washington’s experience highlights the dangers and financial burdens these road conditions can impose on residents.
“I left work one morning, and I was headed to work,” Carolyn recalled. “I turned at the corner of Kirkwood and West Belfort, and I hit a pothole. I immediately felt my tire make this noise, so I knew for sure I had a flat.” Washington was forced to drive on, as she had an important meeting to attend, but by the time she arrived at her destination, her car needed significant repairs.
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After having her car towed to an auto body shop, Washington was informed that her car needed over $400 worth of repairs, including a new tire and an alignment.
“I keep up with my car’s maintenance, so I wasn’t due for an alignment,” she explained. “But because of the pothole, I needed one.”
City’s response and legal challenges
Washington didn’t take the damage lightly. She submitted a letter to the city attorney’s office, requesting reimbursement for the costs. However, her claim was denied.
The city’s official website outlines that “under state law, the city is not liable for property damage caused by the condition of its street.”
This policy has left many drivers, like Washington, feeling frustrated and helpless, especially as potholes seem to appear just as quickly as they are repaired.
“I was furious,” Washington said. “I want my money back. I think the city is responsible.”
Despite her frustrations, Washington believes the city should be held accountable in some way, even if they aren’t legally responsible for individual repairs.
“There has to be some ongoing measures in place to check, recheck, and assess what’s going on in the city relative to this and the damage that’s being done,” she added.
City’s pothole repair efforts
The City of Houston has taken steps to address the pothole problem. According to the city’s official website, its goal is to make repairs the day after a pothole is reported to 3-1-1. According to the pothole tracker on HoustonPotholes.org, 100% of citizen-reported potholes have been filled this year, so far, with an average of about 200 potholes repaired daily.
Despite these efforts, Washington and many other residents believe the problem persists, particularly in areas like southwest Houston.
“It’s disturbing when you’re driving and you hit these potholes that are all throughout southwest Houston,” Washington said. “You just have to be so focused on the potholes, you can’t even focus on your driving.”
What can drivers do?
For those facing vehicle damage due to potholes, there are limited options for reimbursement. KPRC Investigates has identified two potential routes for those who want to seek compensation:
- Legal assistance: Drivers may consider legal action if they can prove that the city was aware of a pothole and failed to repair it within a reasonable timeframe. This can be a complex and difficult case to make, especially without clear evidence of negligence.
- Small claims court: For those who may find the legal route challenging, small claims court offers an alternative. Drivers can file a claim to seek reimbursement for vehicle repairs caused by potholes.
The ongoing pothole dilemma
While Houston officials continue to work on filling potholes and improving the city’s infrastructure, the problem seems far from solved. Residents like Carolyn Washington and others in southwest Houston are left dealing with the safety risks and financial costs that these road hazards create. With the city’s limited liability in such cases, drivers are left to explore other avenues for restitution.
