Accident... (on Friday)

[magt1000]

Not a serious one fortunately!

I was driving along a straight stretch of fen road near Ely when the car dropped into a large dip in the road (subsidence) and bottomed out. I wasn't going particularly quickly (50-60 MPH) but there was a loud thud. At first I thought I had escaped, engine was running smoothly and no unusual noises...

Unfortunately, the next corner I came to the steering was incredibly stiff, it felt like I had lost all power steering. I slowed down and the steering became stiffer. Stopped the car and looked underneath and saw oil like liquid pouring from the drivers side of the plastic covering beneath the engine bay

Checked the power steering fluid under the bonnet and found it empty. Looks like I might have torn/burst/damaged a hydraulic fluid line for the power steering?? Or possibly damaged a fitting?

I was recovered via Audi roadside assistance (they were fantastic by the way) to Cambridge Audi. The dealership is going to call me on Monday to give me the low down, does anyone have any idea what the damage to my wallet might be if my diagnosis is correct? There was no visible damage to the underside of the car and I really don't want to have to make a claim...

M.

[simfin]

Surely if the road has such a bad defect to cause that amount of damage, then you should be able to claim from the council ? I would go and take pictures and measurements, also if it is really bad notify the Police as it could cause an accident.

[magt1000]

Surely if the road has such a bad defect to cause that amount of damage, then you should be able to claim from the council ? I would go and take pictures and measurements, also if it is really bad notify the Police as it could cause an accident.

It was a back road in the fens and these kind of dips are everywhere! I think I will speak to the council and test the water but I don't fancy my chances...

[ScottyUK]

There's two reasons to report it and I have to say in second place is your claim.

Primarily I'd report it so that the council are aware of the oil etc otherwise another car or motorbike could come a cropper.

[theblacksurge]

http://www.potholes.co.uk has a good section about claiming against councils.

[vwawudi]

I've been amazed about how much damage the snow has caused to the roads. The large numbers of potholes and gullies are shocking. I'm worried that I might have some damage to my undercarriage because of the ones I've not managed to avoid.
Saw a patch of oil but need to keep an eye on the parking space to be sure.
Dreadful!

[rd1]

I agree with the previous posters for the safety reasons why you should report it but to help your case, don’t forget to ask if it had already been reported and if so when and who by. FOI request will get you this if they are hesitant with the info

I believe that there is case law that indicates that if a pothole has been reported, the council have a 'reasonable' 24 hrs to deal with it. If the report is made by the Police who are considered road safety experts I think it is an immediate response for action. The actions may of course be signage, closure or temp repair but it does strengthen your case if they knew about it and had not dealt with the problem.

I hope the damage is not too severe but I would certainly start the documentation required to ensure you minimise your loss.

[magt1000]

Just to reiterate, this was not a pot hole it was more a slump in the road. Anyone who has driven accross the fens will be familiar with how severe the raod subsidence can be and as far as I am aware it has nothing to do with the time of the year. I've just had a look on google street view and there was a sign along the stretch of road warning drivers of humps in the road....even though I wasnt speeding I dont think I have a very good case...

Unfortunately the damage is far more severe than I had hoped.....Audi have diagnosed a severely cracked steering rack!! £1000 to repair! Apparently the hydraulic fluid was actually pouring from the rack itself even without any pressure on the system....not good!

It was a loud bang but I cant believe its done that much damage. At that level I have had to make a claim so I now have all the hassle that goes with it....

Not a nice early Christmas present!

[JimC64]

When you fill in your insurance claim form and they ask "who is responsible?"
remember to write in the name of the loca lcouncil for that area!!

I havebeen down on business that way many many years ago, and was shocked at the stat of some of these roads I have to say.....like a never ending roller coaster. Some of the dips were unbelievable!

[Big Bird]

Just to reiterate, this was not a pot hole it was more a slump in the road.

I thought you said the road had subsided? in that case, get your claim in. I claimed against the council years ago for new alloy, suspension turret and a tyre, no problems.