You’ve seen them on your commute, at the neighborhood entrance, and maybe even on your own street: potholes that seem to come out of nowhere and take forever to get fixed. A recent Action News Jax investigation examined the Jacksonville roads with the most reported pothole problems and found not only widespread pavement damage but also a community frustrated with slow or inadequate repairs.
More than just an inconvenience, these hazards can cause injuries or expensive auto damage. Founding partner Eddie Farah spoke with Action News Jax to explain how pothole problems can translate into claims and what Jacksonville drivers should understand before heading out on the road.
When a Simple Pothole Becomes a Personal Injury Risk
The Action News Jax investigation analyzed data from the City of Jacksonville showing that area roadways, including Collins Road and New Berlin Road, are among the roads with the most pothole reports in Jacksonville since January 2023. Old Middleburg Road, Park Street, and Old St. Augustine Road also received high numbers of complaints.
A pothole might seem like a minor obstruction, but for some Jacksonville residents, the consequences have been serious. One local woman recounted the night she said a pothole caused her power chair, her only mode of transportation, to flip over as she crossed a street. She was coming home one evening from being out with friends in her mobility wheelchair and utilizing a crosswalk very close to her home. While crossing the crosswalk, a filled pothole gave way, causing her mobility wheelchair to tip over and, in turn, her to fall to the ground. In her own words, she feared she “was gonna get run over.” That hazard remained in place for more than a year, becoming what she described as an “eyesore” and a real danger to anyone navigating the road.
Stories like this illustrate why potholes can be seriously dangerous. In worst-case scenarios, they are hazards that impede mobility, harm people, and damage property.
Why Reporting Potholes Matters
When asked why potholes persist or why repairs can seem so slow, Eddie points to a key factor in road hazard claims: notice. In legal terms, a government entity like the City of Jacksonville generally cannot be held responsible for a dangerous condition unless it knew, or reasonably should have known, about it.
Farah explained it simply: “The city obviously knew about it because they repaired it. They just did an inadequate or improper repair.” A city may respond to a report, but a patch job doesn’t always solve the underlying problem.
He further emphasizes why people should use official reporting systems: “If other people didn’t complain, it’s going to be difficult to prove the city knew or should have known about it.” Without documented reports, establishing that the city was aware of a hazard becomes much harder.
Jacksonville’s public works department uses systems like 630-CITY (the phone number and online portal for reporting road issues) to collect and track service requests. While the city does have trained teams and technology to inspect the road systematically, specific potholes are generally fixed only after someone files a report.
The Cost of Slow Pothold Repairs for Drivers and Jacksonville
The investigation also raised questions about how long it takes to address reported potholes. City data showed that the average turnaround from reporting to status update is about two weeks; however, several pothole issues remained unresolved for 250 days or more. One reported pothole on Beauclerc Wood Lane took nearly a year for the city to repair and mark the report as closed.
Those delays have real consequences. Beyond residents navigating a deteriorated sidewalk crossing, pothole damage to cars is a financial concern for many drivers. Tires, wheels, suspension components, and alignment can all be affected when a vehicle hits a deep pothole. Farah explained this broadly: “It’s more than just the physical, people who are injured. It is also property damage…cars get damaged by these pothole problems.”
Meanwhile, the city’s own numbers reflect that maintaining safe roads isn’t cheap. From 2023 to 2025, the City of Jacksonville has spent more than $2.2 million on pothole repairs, including labor, equipment, and materials. At the same time, nearly a quarter-million dollars in claims were paid by the city during that period, including a single $130,000 payout for bodily injury.
What Drivers Can Do About Potholes
Potholes can cause serious damage to your vehicle or even lead to injuries. Damage to your tires, wheels, alignment, and suspension system can all mean costly repair bills. But who pays to fix your car when you hit a pothole? The short answer – it depends.
Given the frequency of potholes and the potential consequences, it’s smart for Jacksonville drivers to take a proactive approach:
- Report road problems promptly. Use 630-CITY (2489) or the online portal to document potholes and dangerous pavement conditions as soon as you encounter them. Even seemingly minor reports can establish that the city had notice of the issue.
- Document what you encounter. Take photos or videos of the pothole, especially if it’s significant or persistent. Record dates and times if you can.
- Keep detailed records after damage occurs. If a pothole causes injury or vehicle damage, save receipts, mechanic assessments, and any related expenses.
- Consult a Jacksonville car accident attorney. A pothole may seem like a minor “accident,” but it can lead to major damage and even cause injuries. A knowledgeable accident attorney can help you understand whether the city’s response, or lack of effective repair, could form the basis for a legal claim.
When Road Safety Becomes a Legal Issue
Potholes can disrupt daily life, pose hazards to vulnerable residents, and result in significant financial losses. Our attorneys stand ready to help drivers understand their rights when road conditions cause harm. If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered damage due to potholes or hazardous pavement, reach out anytime for a no-cost case review to learn what options may be available to you.
