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What happens if I got into a car accident due to a pothole?

I had to swerve out of a lane to avoid a pothole and side-swiped another car. Since I was avoiding a pothole, am I still at fault?

avatar
Sophie Newman · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Potholes are frustrating and trying to avoid them can be a difficult task. Although you were trying to avoid damage to your vehicle, you are still responsible for hitting and damaging the other car.
That said, you may be able to submit a claim to the city for damages due to the pothole. Your insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicle with your
liability coverage
, but the city may cover your vehicle’s damage.
If you have
collision insurance
, you’ll also want to try and submit a claim to your insurance.
While you’ll still have to pay your deductible, you may get reimbursement from the city. You’ll want to reach out to both your car insurance and the city to determine the next steps.
If your claim increases the cost of your insurance, consider shopping around. You can do this online or by using the
Jerry
app. Jerry can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and even cancels your old policy on your behalf—oh, and it’s free!”
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