We are only a few weeks away from spring, which means New Jersey roads are littered with potholes from the winter season. Some potholes seems to swallow entire cars up they're so big. While you do your best to avoid them while you drive, sometimes you just can't prevent having your car engulfed in the pit in the road. You weave around them as you drive, but there is always that one that seems to pop up out of nowhere.

So now you've hit that pothole that was as big as a black hole and your car got a little beat up. Your car and the pothole got into a fight and sadly your car lost, big time. What can you do about it? Car repairs can be very expensive and no one wants to deal with that headache. What if I told you there is a chance you can get some of that money back? Sounds too good to be true right?

You can file a claim with state. If your incident occurred on the Garden State Parkway or New Jersey Turnpike you can file a claim through the state's website. You must file within 90 days of the incident and must allow up to 90 days before you receive a reply. The entire claim process may take between 3 and 6 months. The registered owner must be the one filing the claim. Read more about filing a claim here.

If the pothole was on the Atlantic City Expressway you must file with the South Jersey Transit Authority by visiting their website or calling 609-965-6060.

Atlantic County: 877-426-7623 / 609-645-5876

Camden County: 856-566-2980

Cape May County: 609-465-1035 / 609-428-6550 (state highway) / 609-530-2282 (state highway)

Cumberland County: 856-453-2125

Gloucester County: 856-307-6400

Ocean County: 732-929-2133

Salem County: 856-935-7510 x8309

A few helpful hints: as said before the registered owner must file, file the claim within 90 days, and get the car repaired before filing. The pothole must have been previously reported to give the state/county/town an opportunity to repair it prior to the incident. This is why it is important to report potholes when you see them on the road.

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