A motorcycle claim solicitor has accused UK councils of being negligent in taking so long to repair potentially dangerous potholes; sometimes as long as several months.
Motorcycle News recently carried an exposé on UK councils and the way many have gradually been narrowing their definition of a hazardous pothole. For example Essex Council has changed its definition of a hazardous pothole from one that is 25mm deep to one that 75mm deep, all within the relatively short time of two years.
The situation is similar in Surrey, where the definition of a hazardous pothole is even less stringent, meaning that many of the kinds of pothole which might precipitate a motorbike crash and the involvement of a motorcycle claim solicitor are often left unfilled for more than 28 days.
A motorcycle claim solicitor told the newspaper that this move towards redefinition could come back to haunt councils in the form of no win, no fee injury compensation claims. "There's no law in place but I think an authority will be struggling to convince a court that anything over 50mm isn't actionable and negligent," he said.
*Where replacement vehicle costs can be recovered from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
Where this person is untraceable or uninsured, or where there is a dispute over liability, a replacement vehicle cannot
be provided.
