With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
The Storm Left Behind Lots Of Potholes (Shocker). Here’s How You Can File A Claim For Car Damage
A traffic delineator stands in a pothole.
(
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Blue skies have returned to L.A. and so have potholes. The storm made our roads look like Swiss cheese, but while we’re waiting for crews to make repairs, your car could get damaged. Here’s what to do.
How many potholes are out there? The city has received 1,180 pothole reports from the public since Sunday, according to the Department of Public Works. That’s more than 200 a day, well over the 30-a-day average the city’s had in the past, and it’s on par with what L.A. saw after last year’s storms around this time. Caltrans District 7, which covers L.A. and Ventura county freeways, has also repaired about 1,100 potholes so far.
How long do they take to get fixed? The city says reported potholes take about two days to get filled, but remember that more potholes will be found as people get back on the roads and report them. Other agencies who repair our roads have similar repair times.
Sponsored message
What should I do if my car gets damaged? If you’ve had the misfortune of driving into a pothole around L.A. County, remember to take pictures. You’ll have to file a claim within six months and pay out of pocket for repairs first. It could take a few months to win as you may have to prove the agency was aware of the problem. Depending on where it happened, you’ll likely file with the city of L.A., or L.A. County for unincorporated areas, or Caltrans for freeways. For other cities, check with their street services department.
Go deeper:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
