Around 44 million drivers nationwide are affected by potholes each year, and in Ohio, motorists have the option to file a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining the road.
Drivers in Ohio can submit a claim to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) if their vehicle is damaged by a pothole on a state-maintained roadway.
A single pothole can result in costly repairs, with some expenses reaching more than $400.
Although reimbursement is not guaranteed, ODOT encourages drivers to report potential road hazards.
Mahoning County Engineer Pat Ginetti previously told 21 News that as winter ends, more roads require attention from paving crews.
“Typically, those roads that are going to get paved this year or are scheduled for a later date, we pretty much know those are going to be the targets, so we have people constantly driving trying to monitor the conditions and dispatch crews accordingly,” Ginetti said.
He added that the county can anticipate which roads will deteriorate the most based on its paving schedule.
According to ODOT’s website, drivers who experience vehicle damage due to a pothole or other roadway defect on a state route can file a claim through its online “Defects and Damage” reporting form.
The site also explains that once a claim is submitted, ODOT will guide drivers on where and how to proceed with a reimbursement request, depending on the location and nature of the damage.
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