Back while still in college I ran my Fiat X1/9 through a deep pot hole at night in the rain. I had no way of knowing it was there. I busted both right side rims and tires and tore up my front end and suspension. Over $1,500 worth of damage in a friggin pot hole.

When I contacted the local muncipality about it, I was just SOL on it. Because the car was a bit older, I no longer had collision on it so I was out of pocket the full repair amount.

The only good thing about it was that a police officer came by shortly after it happened and took me home. I left the car to deal with the next morning. When I got home my dad asked who brought me home . . . and then of course, why a cop. When I started to tell my woeful story, he said "Oh I saw an 18-wheeler there but busted an axle in the hole."

Not good!

Sorry to hear you are stuck with the $170+ repair bill. Consider yourself fortunate it wasn't more.

(p.s. my incident was in NoVA - Fairfax County)