Hit exploded water main

T.lynch

A few weeks ago I was driving home on a main road around 11 at night. I just washed my car that day and noticed a puddle in the lane ahead. I moved over in to the next lane to avoid the puddle and hit a huge bump and pretty much launched off of it. I lost control of the car briefly but was able to correct it. Turns out a water main exploded and warped the street causing a giant speed bump essentially. The road was also flooded which made it hard to see. Long story short I called the police and filed a report.

There was no visual damage to the car, but at the speed I was traveling and the impact of the bump I'm worried something was damaged. I can tell the car needs an alignment and ever since then, at idle, there is an obnoxious drone inside the car (any ideas?).

I plan to file a claim and should be able to get the damages covered by the DOT for the state. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts were or if anyone dealt with a similar situation.

Arrvaxx

Does the state pay like that? In Minnesota I'm pretty sure everything falls under the 'aint responsible for road hazards' clause. In fact, if I complained I'd expect a ticket for driving too fast for the conditions. LOL.

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Mike

states usually have immunity from that kind of stuff.

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SwissCheese

I had something similar (but not nearly as bad) happen to me last week on my way to work.

I had just washed my car a day or two before. As I was approaching a stop light, I saw a bunch of water running down the road (from a water-main break). Luckily there was nobody around me, so I figured it would be okay if I just went through it slowly. As soon as the light changes, I started to creep forward into the puddle.

Then, OUT OF NOWHERE a PT Cruiser came flying up from behind me in the other lane, and completely soaked my car in a tidal wave of dirty water! I was pissed! It ended up raining later that day, so my car got wet anyways, but still!

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aszyd

Can you smell any exhaust fumes in the cabin?

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mayday813

Not sure about DE but in most states you'll need to prove that the state/city was negligent in not maintaining the water lines or they failed to correct the problem/issue in a reasonable time after they were notified of the problem. Good luck getting the state/city to pay for your damages.

Benibiker

If you didn't have the drone before, your exhaust is probably damaged and possibly leaking.

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Akmcmahon

Sucks man. I actually got covered by the city for a flat tire I got running over a pothole. They have a form you can fill out for cases like this. Doesn't hurt to try. You'll need proof that the roads caused the damage. I went back the next day to take pics of the area and the pothole and it was already filled in. That's unheard of, so I'm guessing a lot of people complained. It was filled with water so I didn't notice it was a hole. City paid for it and an alignment. And this is in San Diego.

Jordo!

It's hard to say what if anything was damaged (tho' exhaust is a reasonable guess). I'd have a shop you trust put it on the lift and investigate.

If something needs to be repaired, no harm in trying to get the state to cover it, but I wouldn't count on it...

However,if you file a claim with your insurance company, the state might cover the deductible if you fight for it.

Good luck!

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T.lynch

From what I heard from the neighbors who lived around this particular area of the street where the water main broke, this was the second time this issue occurred. It was repaired a few months before I believe. I have never witnessed a broken water main that split the street in half, so I am willing to bet it wasn't repaired correctly the first time, but then again I'm not a civil engineer.

I am going to file my claim today and contact DELDOT (Delaware division of transportation) and see what they have to say. I'll keep this thread updated. Thanks for everyone's words.

nomodsjk

The last car I bought before my Z was a cls63 amg and on my way from buying the car I was driving through Richmond Virginia on 95 I hit a massive pot hole that popped my tire and bent a rim. I was so furious I hadn't even put 50 miles on the car and already damaged it. I never even considered trying to get compensation. Wish I would have thought about it because the tire was 400$ and Mercedes doesn't fix rims you have to buy a new one so it was just shy of 2g! Bull****! And that wasn't including the tow bill!

kenchan

um that's not really similiar since you can wash your car to prestine condition again?

op- since you're questioning here, have your dealer or mechanic go over the bottom of the car and suspension bits for any breaks.

T.lynch

So I spoke to DelDot and their insurance adjustor is going to be in contact with me "shortly". I guess they have to gather the facts and determine liability. I sense a legal battle ensuing. I hope this is not what it comes down to. To be continued...

Jordo!

Have you figured out what if anything was damaged?

DelDOT may cover the deductible.

If the report goes to carfax as an accident, I'd also look into whether or not your insurance company or DelDOT will offer additional compensation for diminished value (i.e., technically, any accident, even this one, will reduce the value of your car if reported, and you can be compensated for that loss in value). Your argument for this is even stronger if DelDOT admits to at least partial fault.

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T.lynch

The front chin spoiler is damaged, the alignment is off and as I mentioned in a previous post, there is a drone inside the car. Some have noted probably an exhaust leak.

The police report I was given is a certain type of report that is non reportable in terms of carfax etc. I don't know the exact terminology, but this is what I was told by state police. Also, I may settle directly with DelDot's insurer and not have to involve my insurance company. The body shop I am going to take it to also does not report claims.