Michigan Pothole Damage: What to Do, Who Pays, When to Call a Tow

Pothole season in Michigan: the short version

You don't need us to tell you Michigan's roads are brutal. You've driven them. What you probably don't know is what to do in the 15 minutes after you hit a bad one — whether your car is safe to keep driving, whether you can file a claim with the state, and whether what just happened counts as a "drive it to the shop" problem or a "call a flatbed" problem. This guide answers all three.

Why Michigan has the worst potholes in America

It's not bad luck — it's physics. Michigan's freeze-thaw cycle is the most aggressive in the continental U.S. Every winter, water seeps into pavement cracks, freezes and expands, then melts and leaves a void. The next car over the void pounds it into a pothole. Multiply that by a few million freeze-thaw cycles per mile and you get what locals politely call "Michigan roads."

Peak pothole season runs from late February through early May, when daytime temperatures climb above freezing but overnight lows still drop below. March and April are the worst months. MDOT's [pothole tips page](https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/commuters/potholes/pothole-tips) is updated annually and confirms what drivers already know: you can't avoid them entirely. You can only drive defensively and know what to do when you hit one.

What to do in the first 60 seconds after you hit a pothole

Adrenaline will make you want to keep driving. Don't. The first minute is when you can still get to a shoulder safely, before a slow leak becomes a blowout on the freeway.

**Step 1 — Get to a safe spot.** If you're on I-94, I-75, I-96, or any Metro Detroit freeway, signal and ease to the shoulder as soon as it's safe. Don't stand on the brakes, don't swerve. Potholes damage tires and rims, not usually steering — you almost certainly have control of the vehicle.

**Step 2 — Listen and feel.** With the vehicle stopped, feel for pulling when you resume rolling. Listen for a rhythmic thump or a scraping sound. Watch your dashboard for a low tire pressure warning. A TPMS light after a pothole is a strong signal you've lost air.

**Step 3 — Visual check.** Walk around the car. Look for a flat or deflating tire, a visible sidewall bulge (a bubble on the side of the tire), or a bent rim. Check the wheels on the side you hit — usually the right side, because that's where most potholes sit.

**Step 4 — Decide whether to drive.** A slightly low tire that's holding pressure, no visible damage, no warning lights — you can usually drive slowly to a tire shop. A flat that's rapidly losing air, a sidewall bubble, a bent rim that's leaking air around the bead, or any dashboard warning you don't recognize — stop driving. Call a [flat tire change](https://primeotowing.com/services/flat-tire-change) or an [emergency tow](https://primeotowing.com/services/emergency-towing). Driving on a bent rim at freeway speed can turn a $300 repair into a $3,000 one.

Signs your suspension took the hit, not just the tire

A hard pothole strike can bend control arms, crack ball joints, damage struts, or knock your alignment out. If any of these symptoms show up in the first 10 miles after a pothole, pull over and call us — you don't want to drive a suspension-damaged car across Metro Detroit:

• The car pulls hard to one side with the steering wheel centered
• The steering wheel itself is no longer centered when you're driving straight
• You hear a clunk or knock from the suspension over small bumps
• The car bottoms out over bumps it used to absorb
• There's a vibration that builds up with speed and goes away when you slow down

All of these are "call a flatbed" situations. Driving a car with broken suspension geometry is unsafe — you're one emergency maneuver away from losing control — and it compounds the damage with every mile. Our [flatbed towing](https://primeotowing.com/services/flatbed-towing) keeps all four wheels off the ground so whatever is broken doesn't get worse on the way to the shop.

Who pays for pothole damage in Michigan

This is the question everyone asks, and the answer depends entirely on what kind of road you were on.

**State roads (I-75, I-94, I-96, I-275, M-10, M-14, US-23, etc.).** Claims go through the [State Administrative Board](https://www.michigan.gov/sab). There's a specific form, a dollar threshold, and a timeline — generally, you have to file promptly and provide documentation (photos, repair receipts, a police report if possible). Most claims on state roads get denied because the state has a governmental immunity defense unless the pothole was a known defect that MDOT failed to fix in a reasonable window. Honest answer: most drivers don't recover on state-road pothole claims, but it's worth trying for expensive repairs.

**City streets (Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield, Warren, Livonia, etc.).** Claims go to the city. Each municipality has its own process — Detroit's is handled through the city Law Department, and the standard is similar to the state's: you usually need to prove the city knew about the pothole and failed to fix it. Check the city's official website for the claim form.

**County roads (Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Macomb).** County road commissions handle their own claims. Same standard — proving the county had notice and failed to act.

**Your own insurance.** If you carry collision coverage, pothole damage is usually a covered collision loss — meaning you can file a claim with your own insurer, pay your deductible, and skip the governmental-immunity fight entirely. The trade-off is that it may count against your claim history. For major damage, insurance is often the faster path.

None of these processes cover the cost of the tow itself unless your auto policy specifically includes towing and labor coverage. Michigan is a no-fault state, but [towing coverage in Michigan is optional](https://primeotowing.com/blog/michigan-insurance-towing-coverage), not automatic — something a lot of drivers find out the hard way.

How to report a pothole (and why you should)

Reporting isn't going to get your car fixed faster, but it helps the next driver — and it strengthens any claim you file. Report to MDOT for state roads at **888-296-4546** or through MDOT's online [report-a-pothole form](https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/commuters/potholes). For Detroit city streets, report through the **Improve Detroit** app or the City of Detroit's 311-style reporting system. Most suburbs have their own reporting channels — a quick search for `"[city name] report pothole"` will find it.

Take a photo of the pothole, note the exact location (nearest cross street, freeway mile marker, or GPS coordinates), and include the date and time. That same documentation is what you'll need if you file a damage claim.

When to call a tow instead of driving to a shop

Short version: if the tire is holding air, the car drives straight, and nothing is rattling or pulling, you can usually drive slowly to the nearest tire shop or your home. If any of the following is true, stop driving and call [(313) 327-6334](tel:3133276334):

• The tire is flat or actively losing air
• You see a sidewall bubble or bulge (the tire will fail without warning)
• The rim is visibly bent and you're losing air from the bead
• The car is pulling hard or the steering wheel is off-center
• The undercarriage is dragging or scraping
• A warning light you don't recognize comes on
• You're on a freeway shoulder and traffic is heavy — even if the damage is minor, it's safer to get towed clear than to change a tire in live lanes

Our roadside trucks handle most pothole-driven breakdowns without needing a full tow. A proper [spare install](https://primeotowing.com/services/flat-tire-change) takes about 15 minutes. If your spare is missing, damaged, or your rim is the problem, our flatbed will load the vehicle and take it straight to the tire shop of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a pothole damage claim in Michigan?

It depends on the road. For state roads (interstates, US routes, M routes), file with the State Administrative Board — the form is on michigan.gov. For city streets, file with the municipality; Detroit routes claims through the city Law Department. For county roads, the county road commission handles them. For most drivers with collision coverage, filing through your own auto insurance is faster and more reliable than the governmental-claim process — though it may come with a deductible.

Can I drive my car home if I bent a rim on a pothole?

Maybe, but not at freeway speed. A slightly bent rim that's still holding air, on a tire that's not leaking, can usually make a short, slow trip to a tire shop. A rim that's visibly bent at the bead where the tire seals is going to leak air and is unsafe at any speed. If you're not sure, don't risk it — call us for a [flat tire change](https://primeotowing.com/services/flat-tire-change) or a [flatbed tow](https://primeotowing.com/services/flatbed-towing) to the nearest shop. A $95 roadside call is cheaper than a destroyed tire, a damaged fender, or a freeway crash.

What are the worst pothole months in Michigan?

March and April. Freeze-thaw cycles are strongest in early spring, when daytime temperatures climb above freezing but nights still drop below. By mid-May, most of the cycle is over and MDOT crews have started patching. January and February have fewer new potholes because the ground stays frozen — but the deep freezes set the stage for the March and April onslaught.

Is pothole damage covered by Michigan no-fault insurance?

No. Michigan no-fault covers medical expenses after a collision (Personal Injury Protection) and a few other things, but it does not cover vehicle damage from potholes. That's collision coverage, which is a separate optional add-on. Most drivers who carry collision can file a pothole damage claim against their own policy. We cover the full picture in our guide to [Michigan insurance and towing coverage](https://primeotowing.com/blog/michigan-insurance-towing-coverage).

How long do I have to file a pothole claim in Michigan?

It varies by jurisdiction, but the windows are shorter than most drivers think. State claims generally need to be filed within 120 days of the incident; some city and county claims have 30- or 60-day windows. The sooner you file, the better. Save every receipt, every photo, and write down what happened while it's fresh.

**Hit a bad one?** Call Prime O Towing at [(313) 327-6334](tel:3133276334) — we'll get you off the shoulder, onto our flatbed if needed, and to a tire shop or your home. Serving Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and mid-Michigan 24/7, 365 days a year.