 | Claims concerning Potholes
Each year, Pennsylvania roads are exposed to extreme variations in temperature and moisture. These variations in climatic conditions frequently result in the formation of potholes, sinkholes, or other pavement conditions that may make driving difficult.
PENNDOT maintains approximately 42,000 miles of highways, a responsibility greater than that of the state highway agencies of New York, New Jersey, and the six New England states combined. We do not take this responsibility lightly and seek input from the motoring public to help us do a better job. Any information supplied by the public concerning potholes is added to a list of areas that will receive our maintenance attention.
Any individual, who believes they have sustained damages as a result of the negligence of the Commonwealth, may file a claim for recovery. The law, however, prohibits the payment of property damage (tires, rims, etc.) as a result of a pothole. Because of this, no reimbursement has ever been made for a claim of this type. Although we regret your misfortune in this incident, we are strictly limited by the provisions of the law.
This information is provided to advise you, in advance, of the legal constraints under which property damage claims due to a pothole will be evaluated.
If after understanding the restrictions placed on property damage claims due to potholes, you still wish to exercise your right to file a claim, it should be submitted to the following address:
Department of General Services
Bureau of Risk & Insurance Management
TORT Claims Pre-Litigation Division
P.O. Box 1365
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Claims concerning Line Painting
How do I get traffic line paint off of my car?
As soon as possible after getting paint from road stripes on vehicle wash the vehicle at a pressure car wash. This will loosen and remove most of the paint unless it has dried for more than a day.
If the car wash does not remove the paint, allow the water to dry off the vehicle. Spray the paint residue with WD-40 and allow the WD-40 to stay on the area for 1-2 hours and rewash the vehicle. The WD-40 will soften the traffic paint without hurting the vehicle finish. If there is a heavy concentration, repeat the procedure.
For heavy accumulations or paint that has dried for several days, apply a liberal coating of petroleum jelly to the dried traffic paint and allow to stay on overnight. Take vehicle to a pressure car wash and wash. This should remove most of the traffic paint. Repeat the procedure if needed.
*DO NOT SCRUB THE FINISH WITH A SOLVENT OR SCOURING CLEANSER!!!! THIS WILL DAMAGE THE FINISH.
After cleaning the paint away apply a good car wax to the vehicle’s finish. Wax should remove any lasting signs of the traffic paint.
Wheel wells are very difficult to remove the paint from since they are normally a flat finish. Apply a liberal coating of petroleum jelly to the area and leave for several days and then pressure wash. Applying an alcohol such as Solox or Rubbing Alcohol to the area in the wheel well will help to soften any residue left after the petroleum jelly.
Again DO NOT SCRUB! Just apply with a very wet rag or sponge.
If you have a claim concerning vehicle damage resulting from department line painting operations, please call 1-800-FIX-ROAD. The following information will be requested:
Incident Date and Time
Location - State Route - Direction (N,S,E,W)
Landmarks - Restaurants, Stores, Etc.
Year and Make of vehicle
Description of Incident/Accident
Description of damage |