SOUTH BEND — They're big, they're small and they're everywhere. Potholes are causing major problems. And wait until you hear the price many are paying to fix the damage.

Friday WSBT News saw people slowing down and swerving into the oncoming traffic to avoid a large pothole on Eddy Street. But in most cases, people have to hit them, and the effects are forcing drivers to fork over big bucks.

Potholes are everywhere, and drivers are getting fed up.

"These streets they suck,” said one driver.

Drivers like Matt Kruyer are especially frustrated. He hit a pothole earlier this week, flattening his front tire and ruining his rim. But the damage doesn't end there.

"[I] brought the car in after I got the donut on and I realized I had another flat tire,” he told WSBT News. “And if you look closely you can see there's damage to this rim also."

Fixing it doesn't come cheap.

"So we're looking at about $120 a tire,” Kruyer said.

Because so many people have to get their rims replaced, places like Zolman Tire are seeing a new problem.

"All of the salvage yards are having a lot of problems because they weren't stockpiled on it, and everyone's calling for wheels throughout the Midwest and there's a supply and demand issue,” explained Nate Zolman of Zolman Tire. “And if they have them they're getting a premium price out of them."

In Matt's case, he's going to need two new tires and two new rims. Then there's installation, plus possible alignment. Add it all up and he's looking at close to $500.

That’s a big price to pay for a problem that in many cases can't be avoided.

"Slow down I guess,” Kruyer said. “Try to brake before you hit them. And sometimes you can't see them because you've got snow covering up the potholes, so you don't even see them coming.”

Potholes aren't just costing people money — some drivers also have to take time off work to fix their cars.

For more on how to report a pothole and how to file a claim for damage from a pothole, click on the link in the Related Content box.