Last week's rainfall has caused our roads to deteriorate and potholes to form, some the size of half a lane, making them difficult to avoid.

An anonymous Lismore App reader was caught out by a substantial pothole on Nimbin Road, about 3.8km from Wilson Street, South Lismore.

This pothole is in a difficult spot as it approaches bends with a double white line, making it difficult to avoid, especially if a car is coming the other way.

Two tyres were damaged, and possibly two rims on Saturday night.

The next day, our reader went back to take photos of the potholes to report to council, only to find three other cars on the side of the road, also in various states of similar damage.

According to our reader, a tow truck driver said he had been retrieving cars from the location for the last two days.

He will visit Lismore City Council offices in Goonellabah today to see if he can make a claim. 

(The pothole on Nimbin Road just before the bends)

His two tyres cost about $550 each and were close to new. He is hoping his rims don't need replacing, as their cost is around $3,000 each.

Our reader says the potholes have been there for several days and should have been dealt with by council.

According to the Lismore City Council website, his chances of compensation are not good.

Can I charge Council if my car is damaged by a pothole?

The short answer is no – it is unlikely you would be compensated for car damage unless a defect was reported and Council neglected to fix the pothole or defect in a timely manner. It is up to motorists to drive at speeds that are appropriate for the road condition, and motorists should always remember that the speed limit is a maximum, not a must.

While Council understands the frustration drivers have with a road network that is less than perfect, it is ultimately the responsibility of every driver to drive according to the road conditions and keep a proper lookout for surface defects and potholes, road debris, water, animals and the like.

Council has in place procedures to inspect and repair our road network for potholes, which is an ongoing process. We conduct repairs as soon as possible when a defect is reported by one of our inspectors or the general public.

Council urges all drivers to be careful and drive to local conditions as they can vary throughout the road network from one day to the next.

As soon as you come across a pothole, it is best to report it to Lismore City Council as soon as possible so they can make plans to fix it.

What causes a pothole?

Heavy traffic or natural ageing causes cracks in the pavement. Rainwater seeps through these cracks into the base material beneath.

The vibration of traffic causes the wet base material to settle or shift, forming a cavity. With nothing under it for support, the pavement will weaken further and ultimately cave in.