What to Do If You Hit a Pothole and Suspect Damage

Every spring, Nassau County's winter-battered roads leave a fresh crop of potholes, and the damage from hitting one doesn't always show up the moment it happens.

1. Pull over and take a look

   Obvious bulges, a flat, or a visibly bent wheel all mean stop now rather than keep driving.

2. Pay attention over the next few miles

   A new pull to one side, steering wheel vibration, or an unfamiliar noise are all signs something got knocked loose.

3. Inspect the sidewalls specifically

   A hard impact can cause a bulge or hidden internal damage that looks fine now and blows out later.

4. Check pressure in all four tires

   A slow leak from the impact sometimes doesn't show up for hours.

5. Book an alignment check

   Even with zero visible damage, a solid pothole hit can knock alignment out and wear tires unevenly from that point on.

6. Take steering wheel vibration seriously

   It's frequently a bent wheel or a damaged tire, and neither is something to keep driving on.