[matrix607]

I was driving home this weekend to visit my family in Binghamton, NY (I live in CT) when I hit my first huge pothole of the weekend (and probably life). It is located on Rt 17W about a mile before the Deposit exit number 84. It bubbled out the sidewall of the passenger front runflat! Then, I was heading back home on Sunday and I hit the second massive pothole. This one is located less than a mile before the 87 merge and tolls on 17E in Woodbury. This one definitely knocked my alignment out (the steering wheel does not sit straight) and possibly caused some other damage. Both hits happened during the night. Neither of these potholes was a "reasonable" pothole. Both are extremely large, and present extremely dangerous situations.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do? I have already found claim forms from NYS DOT (https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/leg...on/smallclaims). Should I get a lawyer to help with this? Has anyone had any success in getting reimbursed?

Thanks!

[LaLakers91tc]

A lawyer is going to cost you as much as the cost of a runflat and alignment. Plus from the experiences of my father, and a couple of friends on the forum, it's not worth the hassel.

I was in a similar situation. A massive pothole last weekend bent two of my wheels . I filled out the form and sent it in, but I am not holding my breath waiting for reimbursement.

[kfrazie1]

Fill it out and send it in. i went to school in Binghamton, fun place. Lot's of potholes on that drive....

[uwotm8]

if there is any serious suspension damage, it may be worth filing a comprehensive claim with your insurance. I had a similar situation with my old subaru. I hit a nasty pothole that was literally the length of my car. It was unavoidable. My coilover bent, rim bent, lateral link bent, and the strut tower blew out. It was a MESS. Went through my ins and they filed a claim against the city. Whether or not they get reimbursed wasn't my problem as they covered the damage to the car. If its just an alignment and tire, might not be worth the hassle.

[Kerr]

If it's enough to destroy a runflat tyre(tire) I don't like your chances of the wheel still being round.

[Fatal Flash]

It's a beautiful thing to get a check from NYC for your compensation.

Send them the invoice for repairs, and write a convincing letter. Then cross your fingers.

[kushtrim]

I think if NY would pay for all the damage that happen to the cars on those NY state streets , they would end up broke . GL with it bro .

[matrix607]

Thanks for the advice guys! It looks like I bent 3 of the 4! Ouch! Well, looks like I might get some Apex ARC-8's now!

[madeinhongkong]

^Be careful b/c the Apex is a high performance light weight wheel which means they are not strong... i would go with something forged.

[fdriller9]

I got reimbursed for a cracked wheel and damaged wheel bearing repair including labor from a mall I hit a pothole in a few months ago.

Got about 2/3 of the total back. Painless, no lawyer.

Filing a claim with the state will be a different story though. I imagine it will take alot longer.

Key is your attitude. Don't give a pissed off tone. The state doesn't want to hear and will make it alot harder for you. If you are polite and courteous to them, most people will pick that up and try their best to help you out.

Good luck!

[Express]

self insured = no money for you

[BMCoupe_782]

The roads in the tristate are a fucking disgrace. It's a sad state of affairs when we have to deal with this. I've had multiple tires blown and 2 of my rims bent from potholes. I spend my life swerving around to avoid them.

Good luck OP. I feel your pain.