How to Report a Missing Street Sign - And Why It's Important to Do So

There are several reasons a street sign could go missing. It could have been stolen, fallen during a storm, or hit by a car. You might not know how to report a missing street sign, or you might assume it 's already been reported -- unfortunately, many drivers are thinking the same thing. Don't drive away without alerting the authorities, because a missing street sign could lead to serious accidents and injuries. You should also report a broken streetlight, parking violations (particularly handicap parking violations), potholes, illegal dumping, rat infestations, or graffiti to the proper authorities.

To report a downed street sign , you have to contact the right government department, and you may have to check in with them again. It can take a long time to fix or replace a broken or missing sign, which puts drivers at risk, particularly if the missing sign is a stop, yield, speed limit, sharp curve warning, no passing zone, do not enter, or one-way sign.

In fact, you may find yourself in an accident as a result of a missing sign. In that case, you may be entitled to compensation from the city, but you have to know how to request it. Whether you're reporting a stolen street sign, a traffic light issue , or anything else, this could take some time and research, or you can take advantage of a simpler method.

How to Report an Issue to the City

If you're reporting a fallen street sign, broken traffic light, a pothole, or other driving and road issues, in most cities, you'll contact Public Works. In general, here are the options to report a missing street sign in your area :

Some cities will allow you to fill out a request online, which may require creating an account. Others have a phone number you can call. You will need to make sure you have the address of the missing sign 's location when you make the report.

Because who to report a knocked-down street sign varies from city to city, this process can get frustrating. It 's worse if you don't receive a response right away. Several reasons may happen:

• The city has a backlog of complaints they are sorting through
• Your reported missing sign is not considered a priority
• You 're requesting a new sign (rather than repairing or replacing an existing sign), and the city requires a traffic study or approval from the city council before they can proceed

Injured as a Result of a Missing Street Sign? Sue Your City/County for Compensation

If the city fails to repair or replace a broken or missing street sign , you could be entitled to compensation if you 're injured or inconvenienced due to that negligence. You will need to file a Notice of Claim as soon as possible, because most cities and states have a statute of limitations for filing such claims. If you wait too long, you may no longer be eligible to receive compensation for expenses like these:

• Medical Expenses
• Auto Repair
• Property Damage
• Pain and Suffering
• Lost Wages

What Evidence Do I Need to Support My Damage Claim?

You will need to prove you suffered as a result of the city's negligence. Make sure you gather the appropriate documents and information to support your claim, including:

• When you first reported the missing sign or other issue, if applicable
• Date and time of the incident that caused the injury or property damage
• Details of the incident, including police reports, photos, and names of witnesses
• Medical bills, car repair bills, and anything else you 've already paid

This process can feel overwhelming, but DoNotPay can help. If the government rejects your Notice of Claim, you may be able to sue them in small claims court . We can help with that, too.

Why Use DoNotPay to Report Missing Street Signs and Request Compensation for Damages

Every city and county has a slightly different process for reporting missing or damaged signs, and it takes time to research the details of how to make the report. Instead of doing that on your own, you can simply visit the City Repairs product on DoNotPay. Give us a few details about the location of the missing sign and when you noticed it missing or the details of your compensation claim, and we 'll contact the city on your behalf.

If you want to file a city repair report but don 't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 6 easy steps:

1. Go to the City Repairs product on DoNotPay.
2. Choose one of the following options:
   1. Report a maintenance issue to the city
   2. Sue the city for compensation.
3. If you want to report an issue, choose which problem you would like to report (pothole, broken lights, etc.) and tell us more about when you first noticed the issue.
4. If you want to request compensation, tell us whether you 1) suffered a personal injury, or 2) suffered from property damage. Then tell us more about the incident date, where it took place, and any expenses you have already paid. Include the names of witnesses if applicable.
5. Upload supporting documents and other evidence files.
6. Enter the amount you want to be compensated in damages and verify your e-signature.

DoNotPay is the fast, efficient way to do the right thing. You may not be affected by a missing street sign, but someone else could be. Reporting it helps the city do its job, and you may save someone else from suffering a car accident. Eliminate the need to research and make phone calls yourself by utilizing DoNotPay 's simple system.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay 's innovative AI Consumer Champion can help you with a variety of financial and legal issues, including reporting necessary city repairs and so much more:

• Contact Government Representatives
• File a Complaint Against Any Company or Municipality
• Appeal Your Parking Tickets
• Seek Compensation After Being the Victim of a Crime
• Make Insurance Claims
• Request Leave from Jury Duty
• And More