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What to Do If Your Car Is Damaged by a Pothole in Northern Ireland

By 12th January 2023 July 15th, 2025 News, Tips/ Advice
What to Do if a Pothole Damages Your Car in Northern Ireland

Are Potholes Damaging Your Vehicle?

Northern Ireland’s roads are once again plagued with thousands of potholes, putting your car’s tyres, wheels, suspension and alignment at serious risk.

If you’ve hit a pothole and suffered damage, you may be entitled to claim for the cost of repairs from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), but only if you follow the right steps.

At CRASH Services, we’re here to guide you through what to do immediately after a pothole strike, and how to pursue compensation.

How Bad Are Potholes in Northern Ireland?

According to official data, from April 2023 to March 2024, a staggering 106,923 potholes were recorded across NI.

  • Newry, Mourne and Down: 19,171 potholes

  • Belfast: 12,840 potholes — up 9% from the previous year

These numbers highlight the growing scale of the problem and the importance of knowing your rights as a motorist.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Is Damaged by a Pothole

Follow these steps to protect your safety and give yourself the best chance of making a successful claim.

1. Stop Safely and Check for Damage

  • Put on your hazard lights

  • Pull over to a safe location

  • Check your tyres, wheels, steering and underside for visible damage

If the car is vibrating, pulling to one side, or steering feels off — do not continue driving. Call your breakdown provider.

2. Record the Scene

  • Note the exact location and direction of travel

  • Take multiple photos of the pothole (close-up and wide shots)

  • Place a common item (e.g. water bottle) in the hole to show its depth and size

  • Photograph your vehicle’s damage

3. Report the Pothole

Report the defect immediately using the official NI Direct page:
      Report a Pothole – NI Direct

4. Get a Professional Repair

  • Take your vehicle to a trusted garage or tyre place

  • Ask them to confirm the damage is pothole-related and include it in your invoice

  • Keep all quotes, invoices, and receipts

If necessary, request a wheel alignment check, damage from potholes often affects suspension and steering.

5. Gather Local Evidence

  • Ask neighbours if they know how long the pothole has been there

  • Longer-standing defects may strengthen your case

How to Claim for Pothole Damage in Northern Ireland

You can make a claim to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) using the following process:

Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming:

  1. Download and complete the official form:
    Vehicle Damage Compensation Claim Form – NI Direct

  2. Submit it along with:

    • Photos of the scene

    • Damage quotes or receipts

    • A simple sketch/map showing the pothole location

    • Any witness statements (if applicable)

  3. Send your completed claim to Transport NI. (Contact details are provided on the NI Direct site.)

What Happens Next?

  • Transport NI will review your claim and may assign a loss adjustor or investigator

  • You’ll typically receive a decision within 6 months

  • If accepted, they’ll offer a settlement amount to cover your repair costs

What If My Claim Is Rejected?

If your claim is rejected or the offer is too low:

  • You can appeal or take your case to small claims court

  • Legal proceedings can be costly, time-consuming, and risky,  it’s recommended to seek legal advice before pursuing court action

Need Expert Help After an Accident?

If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole or road defect, CRASH Services can help.

We offer:

  • Vehicle inspections and recovery

  • Trusted repairer network

  • Claim handling and guidance

  •  Access to legal and medical support if needed

No cost to you if the incident wasn’t your fault, we recover the costs from the insurer or responsible authority.

Hit a Pothole? Let CRASH Services Help You Get Back on the Road

Call us:  028 9066 0244

How CRASH Services Can Help You After A Car Crash or Accident

At CRASH Services, we specialise in helping drivers in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry and across Northern Ireland get back on the road quickly.

After an accident, our expert team will take care of:

And we do it all, at no cost to the not-at-fault driver.

Our service is free as we recover the costs from the third-party insurers.

Why Choose CRASH Services?

  •  Established in 1996
  •  Trusted by Hundreds of Thousands Local Northern Ireland Motorists
  •  No Cost to You, Costs Recovered from Insurers
  •  Complete Accident Management from Recovery to Repairs 
  •  99% Customer Recommendation Rate

Our Mission is Simple:

“To act with care for those involved in road traffic accidents.”

Need Help After an Accident in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry or anywhere across Northern Ireland?

Call us today on 028 9066 0244 or Request a Callback Today

CRASH Services, take care of everything, at no cost to you!

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