A DRIVER has been slammed with $2,000 worth of damage to his car after running into a massive pothole left by construction crews.
Elijah Stevenson-Jordan is just one of several drivers who smashed into unavoidable hazards during their commutes.
On September 19, city crews started repaving DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, just before evening rush hour.
The construction team put up signs warning of a “milled surface” after they scraped off the top layer of pavement.
However, drivers say the sign didn’t prepare them for the horrific conditions that left their cars in pieces.
One driver, Sam Vanaria, said he was left with a flat after running over a “huge hole in the middle of the road,” ABC affiliate WLS reported.
Stevenson-Jordan, a surgical nurse, was on his way to work when he heard a massive bump.
“I hear my tire start to do that spin where you know the pressure is changing, and my car starts rearing to the left,” he said.
“I get off at Lower Wacker, and then I pull out and decide to call a tow truck.”
The driver joined a crew of others who traveled to Wells Automotive for pricey repairs.
Frank Guske, the owner of the auto shop, said they’ve worked on at least seven cars that were damaged on the road.
“All of them seem to be a spot in the lane where it’s the front left tire getting damaged,” he said.
“We have others that are being towed in right now.”
Stevenson-Jordan now owes $2,000 in repairs to his car.
He also had to miss work to get his car towed and was disappointed to miss important surgeries because of a pothole.
Officials with the Chicago Department of Transportation said crews didn’t know the road’s condition would be so poor until they removed the top layer of asphalt.
They worked quickly to repair the potholes, and all lanes were expected to open by September 27.
How to get money back from car repairs
DRIVERS can get refunds for their car repairs if government failures were behind the damage.
Sometimes construction crews or poor infrastructure can cause property damage.
If drivers can prove they weren’t in the wrong after their car is damaged, they can get refunds.
Those affected must file a claim against the state, city, or county government offices.
It’s crucial to provide as much documentation as possible in the claim in order to prove your case.
If a city throws out a claim, but you still believe you have a case, you can contact a lawyer for legal advice.
GET CASH BACK
Drivers can file a claim with city governments if their cars were damaged due to city work crews.
In Chicago, those affected must fill out a motor vehicle damage form and submit it to the city clerk alongside a copy of the paid repair receipt.
Drivers can also use official estimates to prove the cost of the repairs.
Applications in Chicago can either be mailed or hand-delivered.
If a city throws out a claim, drivers can seek legal advice from lawyers on whether to sue the government.
