Dallas not likely to pay drivers for pothole damage

FOX 4 has been following a series of pothole problems on a busy Dallas bridge for six months.

Last week, another giant hole on the Irving Boulevard bridge tore up a lot of tires and rims. Now, drivers are learning the City of Dallas isn't going to pay a dime for the damage. 

Citywide, we found out Dallas has not paid one penny for the 333 pothole-related claims filed so far this year. However, the city is still directing drivers to fill out a claim form anyway.

The hole that opened up on the Irving Boulevard bridge is not a typical pothole; it's a full-fledged hole.

When it opened up last Thursday, the only thing between cars and a drop to a park below was rebar.

A lot of cars pulled over after damaging their cars last early Thursday morning, and this is the second time in less than six months that the concrete has crumbled away on the Irving Boulevard bridge.

Even so, attorney Pete Schulte says the city is likely not liable the way a private owner would be, but drivers with damaged cars are concerned about the pattern on the bridge.

“It’s going to depend on, when did the city find out about it, what did they do about it, and did they act reasonably to try to prevent vehicles from being damaged?” said Schulte.

After the second hole opened up last week, the city's metal covering slid off less than 24 hours later, causing more cars to hit the hole.

The city only closed off the lane of traffic after FOX 4 called. Now, there are few barricades left standing.

Schulte says your insurance company may decide to pursue damages against a city if there is evidence of neglect.

Experts say typically, pothole damage does not cause your insurance to go up, but you may want to check before filing a claim.

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