Legal guide to UK motoring, sections for law enforcement, Driver licensing, learner and new drivers, buying and selling, speeding fines, owning a vehicle, wheel clamping, traffic information.
Accidents due to road conditions
The Local Highway Authorities owe you the road user a duty of care
They
are responsible for maintaining the condition of our roads, that is
public not private, to a reasonable standard appropriate to the level
of traffic use. Should you experience an incident which you feel was
caused by poor road maintenance you will have to prove the authority
has failed in its duty of care.
Under section 58 of the Highways act the Highways Authority can defend itself against claims for compensation for damages by proving they are not liable because they have fulfilled all the necessary requirements needed to secure that part of the highway
For a more detailed explanation
http://www.access-legal.co.uk/free-legal-guides/what-duty-does-the-local-highway-authority-owe-you-for-the-conditions-of-the-road-1360.htm
If a problem that has been reported 48 hours previously and not rectified then in most cases the Highways Authority can be sued for any damage caused
The Local Highway Authorities owe you the road user a duty of care

Under section 58 of the Highways act the Highways Authority can defend itself against claims for compensation for damages by proving they are not liable because they have fulfilled all the necessary requirements needed to secure that part of the highway
For a more detailed explanation
http://www.access-legal.co.uk/free-legal-guides/what-duty-does-the-local-highway-authority-owe-you-for-the-conditions-of-the-road-1360.htm
If a problem that has been reported 48 hours previously and not rectified then in most cases the Highways Authority can be sued for any damage caused