Pothole damage: document the loss and claim from the correct road authority
Identify who maintains the road, preserve evidence and promptly check the special claim rules.
If the vehicle is unsafe or blocking a lane, use hazard lights, get to a safe place and call roadside assistance or 911 as the danger requires. Do not take photographs from traffic.
Document the event immediately
Record the road, direction, lane, landmark, time, weather and signage. Photograph the damage, wheel, undercarriage and pothole only from a safe location. Keep towing, diagnosis and repair invoices.
Identify the responsible authority
A highway or numbered road may be managed by the MTMD, while a local street is generally municipal. Confirm the authority instead of sending the same claim everywhere; also report the hazard so it can be corrected.
Check the rules before repairs
Obtain a written diagnosis and, if possible, keep replaced parts. Statutes contain special exclusions and deadlines depending on the type of damage and authority involved. Filing a form therefore does not guarantee compensation.
Submit a complete file
Describe the event without speculation and attach photographs, invoices, proof of payment, witness details and vehicle information. Also notify the insurer when cost and coverage justify it, comparing the deductible and possible claims impact.
Complaints and damage claims — MTMD