The winter is over, but springtime always brings hazards, including potholes. The driving hazard can appear in almost an instant if you are not careful, causing a tire or two to blow out, as well as wheel and suspension damage.
Spring is known as pothole season. As water from melting ice and snow makes it way through the road surface, the lower temperatures at night freezes the water, causing the ground to expand. These widening cracks, combined with the sheer weight and movement of vehicles, get wider until they become potholes.
What Are Tips for Pothole Season?
It is tough to eliminate potholes from the roadway completely, but you can protect yourself from them. Here are a few tips when dealing with potholes this spring:
- Be aware: Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Leave enough space between you and the car in front of you to give yourself enough time to see if there is a pothole approaching. If there is, you have enough time to safely navigate around the pothole. A good rule of thumb is to watch for slower traffic, which is a good sign that other drivers have spotted a pothole.
- Slow down: If you do spot a pothole and are unable to safely avoid it, do not speed up. Lower speeds help your tire and suspension sustain damage and minimizes the impact; higher speeds cause more damage.
- Tire pressure: Always maintain the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for your tires. This is important in the event of hitting a pothole. If your tires are either under-pressured or over-pressured, the wheels and suspension become more vulnerable to severe damage.
- Report potholes: If you spot a pothole, report it to the local transportation department as soon as possible. Some GPS apps actually allow you to warn other drivers of any dangers, including potholes, ahead on the road.
- Watch for signs: A deep puddle is a good indication that a pothole has formed, so be careful when traveling through any puddles. Puddles are also a good sign that a pothole will form in that spot soon if not repaired.
- Signs of damage: If you do hit a pothole, there are signs to look for to see how much damage you sustained, as it helps getting repaired before the problem gets worse. The obvious is tire damage. Sometimes, a bubble or bulge will form on the sidewall of the tire, which can lead to a blowout. Less obvious signs are bent or cracked wheels, fluid leaks, exhaust issues, or an alignment problem. It is recommended to have a mechanic take a look at your car after you hit a pothole.
Egg Harbor Township Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Help Injured Drivers During the Spring Season
Even though the ice of winter is gone, spring brings potholes. If you have been injured in an accident, contact one of our Egg Harbor Township car accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm right away. Call us today at 609-926-3300 or fill out our online form to learn more and to schedule a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.