In the last 5 years, councils across England and Wales have paid out a staggering £32 million in injury compensation following accidents involving potholes.
Lancashire County Council, as the fourth largest county in the country, has paid more than £11 million of that! In total in England and Wales, 5,596 personal injury claims related to potholes were settled with an average payout of £5,746.
From January to September 2020, 36,577 potholes were found and repaired by Lancashire County Council’s highway service. Within 22 working days, 92% of those potholes were fixed. This was a 28% increase from 2019.
All councils have a duty to keep their highways in a reasonable state of repair. By failing to do so, they leave themselves open to injury and damage claims. It appears that significant compensation costs are incurred by local councils by not maintaining and repairing their roads promptly.
As well as being a nuisance when you’re walking, cycling, or driving, potholes can be harmful. At Farleys, we have and continue to successfully act for clients who have been injured as a result of potholes, whether that be as a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver.
If you or a friend/family member has been injured as a result of a pothole, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Contact one of our experienced team for a no obligation assessment of your case on 0845 287 0939, contact us by email, or use the online chat below.
