Winter is quickly approaching and for homeowners along Echo Hills Circle, this may mean another year of dealing with a broken road. Nine months ago, Dekalb County guaranteed a repaving project would happen in 2016, but with winter coming, it may be too late, according to NBC 11Alive. The continued neglect of this road may cause extensive damage to cars, which could result in unforeseen car accidents.
In Jan., Dekalb County received money to repave 20 miles of roads, including Echo Hills Circle, according to 11Alive. The county patched the worst of the potholes but Echo Hills has been left waiting.
In the meantime, drivers who have to take this poor road may suffer immediate or long term damage to their vehicle, which could result in an accident. Here are three types of vehicle damage you should watch out for to avoid getting into an accident.
Flat Tire
If you are driving on a bad road, you may unexpectedly encounter potholes or ruts in the street. Potholes can cause significant tire damage, which could lead to a blowout or flat tire, according to the American Automobile Association. These types of tire damage can result in an accident.
If you hit a pothole and get a flat tire, you may immediately panic and respond dramatically. You may respond by jerking the steering wheel and slamming on your brakes, which could lead to hitting or being hit by another vehicle, according to AAA.
If your car gets a flat tire while driving, you should slow down and pull over to the right side of the road, according to AAA. You should also turn on your hazard flashers so other drivers can see you. Call for help if you cannot change the tire yourself.
Shock Absorption Failure
A vehicle’s shock absorbers are designed to damp any bumps or jolts, especially when driving through poor road conditions. However, shock absorbers can fail as a result of excessive wear and tear caused by constantly driving on a rough road. This could lead to unsafe driving conditions, according to AAA.
A vehicle with worn shock absorbers can lead to a bouncing car, which could hit another vehicle, according to Fox News. Another issue is that a vehicle’s tires may suspend, which could lead to less traction on the road. When your tire is not on the road, you lose as much as 100 feet in stopping power in a high-speed situation.
If your vehicle begins to feel like a rough ride even on smooth pavement, it may be time to replace your shock absorbers.
Wheel Alignment
After you hit a pothole, if your car pulls to one side or your steering wheel is off center, your vehicle’s wheel alignment may be off, according to AAA. This can present a scary situation for a driver, because your car may drift into an opposite lane and collide with another car.
If you notice that your car is veering left while driving, you should take it to a professional immediately to avoid driving a car that does not steer accurately, according to AAA. It is also best to get your wheels aligned once every 6,000 miles or 6 months.
Poor road conditions can lead to several problems with your car, which in turn could cause you to get into an accident. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident because of a driver’s negligence, we can help. Read more to learn how a car accident attorney in Atlanta can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you are ready to pursue a claim, fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form today.
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