Charleston Residents can Get Refunds for Car Damage on SC Roads
If you’ve ever been cruising around Charleston, you might have hit a pothole or two – and if you’re anything like Kevin Walsh from Johns Island, that could mean trouble for your car! It turns out that, in South Carolina, you might not have to foot the entire bill for those unexpected repairs. Thanks to a program offered by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), drivers like you can potentially get refunds for car damage caused by road issues.
Potholes and Tire Trouble
Walsh had an unfortunate experience recently while driving on I-26. He was on his way to help his wife when his car ran into a pothole that led to a tire blowout. “It’s a small car, so like the entire car shook when I hit it,” he recalled. And he wasn’t alone – he saw other cars affected by the same bumpy road. “There were like three or four other cars right there that had done the same thing,” he shared.
After replacing his tire, which cost him a bit over $300, Walsh discovered SCDOT’s reimbursement program. The relief was palpable as he thought to himself, “At least I will get my money back,” since his whole day had already been thrown off.
The Reimbursement Journey
Now, you might think getting your money back would be a smooth ride, right? For Walsh, it was anything but. According to SCDOT’s website, the department has 180 days to respond to a claim after it’s filed. However, he had to wait more than 120 days just to hear back about his request because it had been passed on to Banks Construction, the company working on that section of the road.
“I think they were just hoping I would forget about it,” he mentioned, expressing how frustrating it was to go months without answers. And during that time, he found himself reflecting on how that reimbursement money could have been beneficial in supporting his cancer treatments. “That’s a car payment and… that’s how much I paid at MUSC every month for my treatment,” he explained.
Persistence Pays Off
After a lengthy back-and-forth, Walsh was finally rewarded for his diligence. He received his reimbursement check this month, about seven months after the whole ordeal began. “It’s just not right that it takes them so long on a claim that was their fault,” he said, his frustration evident. Even through the lengthy process, Walsh felt relief when the check finally arrived.
Spreading the Word
Though he faced many bumps along the way, Walsh is eager to share information about SCDOT’s program. If you or anyone you know has experienced similar car troubles due to road conditions, it might be worth looking into. You can check out the requirements needed to file a claim and learn more about the process.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve hit a pothole, don’t despair! South Carolina’s roads can be unforgiving, but there are ways to ease the financial burden when road issues cause damage to your vehicle. Remember, staying informed can make a big difference in your experience. So whether you’ve got a story to share or need some guidance on filing a claim, make sure you’re taking advantage of all the resources available to you.
If you’ve got your own pothole horror story or suggestions about what’s driving you crazy on the roads, consider sharing your tale. After all, the more we know, the better we can advocate for safe driving conditions in our beautiful Charleston!
