Pothole cost Houston family $1,400, state says the city isn’t liable
After slamming into a pothole on Meadowglen Lane in Houston, Peggi Stewart and her family paid $1,400 in car repairs.
After slamming into a pothole on Meadowglen Lane in Houston, Peggi Stewart and her family paid $1,400 in car repairs.
“I don’t think it was a pothole—it was more like a crater,” Peggi said.
The big question we all want to know: Who is on the hook for the damages?
This wasn’t just any pothole. When we measured it in August, it stretched a staggering 57 inches long—enough to swallow a tire and your wallet!
Fast forward to October, and the state responded:
“The city is not liable for property damage resulting from the use, operation, or maintenance of its streets.”
So, the new question is: When is the city on the hook?
According to state law, the city is only liable when property damage is caused by a city employee’s negligent operation of a motor-driven vehicle or equipment—and that employee would be personally liable.
Peggi is now pushing back.
“I felt that I made a strong argument about the damage and neglect that I thought the city of Houston made in repairing the street. In fact, they haven’t repaired the cavity—there is no curb, and the curb is the only way to sustain the repair to the street," she said.
While the best advice after a denial from the state is to file a claim with your insurance, we’re now asking: If they don’t repair the curb, is that negligence?
How does a curb support pothole repairs?
And if a curb isn’t put in, will this pothole continue to be a crater of cash, wrecking your ride?
We’ll keep you posted!
