Recent data analysis by ABC7 News has revealed that less than 4% of claims filed by Bay Area drivers with Caltrans for vehicle damage caused by potholes and other road conditions were approved between 2020 and mid-2023. Despite the opportunity for drivers to apply for reimbursement, the low approval rate has raised concerns and skepticism about the claims adjudication process. Caltrans Public Information Officer (PIO) urged drivers to trust the process, but the high denial rate has been a source of frustration for many, as highlighted by the case of a Bay Area man named Simon who suffered damage and was denied reimbursement.
Claims filed by Bay Area drivers with Caltrans for damage to vehicles caused by potholes and other road conditions were approved less than 4% of the time between 2020 and mid-2023, according to data analyzed by the ABC7 data journalism team. https://t.co/855ZxjawYC https://t.co/7jZ9em8py8
Rounds of rain + temperature swings = potholes galore https://t.co/4Ca3yRyJeU
Less than 4% of Bay Area Caltrans pothole, other damage claims approved in recent years: data https://t.co/NQ35ACnK0S https://t.co/gYNN175Uz9
#Caltrans approved less than 4% of pothole & other damage claims for Bay Area drivers in recent years. What the agency told me when I asked about drivers who don’t trust the claims adjudication process ⬇️ https://t.co/dnK5axGHUa
Caltrans says drivers can apply for reimbursement if a pothole damages their car on a state road. But an ABC7 News data analysis shows Caltrans denies the vast majority of the claims. One Bay Area man found out the hard way. https://t.co/HiE0qCCPDR https://t.co/HiE0qCCPDR
Very upsetting to see 96% of Bay Area pothole reimbursement claims being denied by Caltrans… https://t.co/8tQIugilkS
If you drive in the Bay Area you’ll want to see the rest of this interview on Caltrans pothole & other damage claims. 4 & 6pm @abc7newsbayarea https://t.co/ohMspdr2A2
Ever hit a pothole driving on Bay Area highways? Caltrans says you can apply for 🚘 damage reimbursement. But less than 4% of Bay Area claims were approved in recent years. Caltrans PIO says trust the process. ⬇️ What happened when I asked about drivers like Simon who don’t? https://t.co/UwEW45a6BK
Potholes on city or state roads can come at a cost to drivers @LauraHaefeli reports https://t.co/fUt3amn9u9