Is Caltrans liable for the freeway pothole that damaged your car?

Q. I was traveling north in the slow lane of the 605 Freeway and had just passed Del Amo Boulevard in the Cerritos-Lakewood area when I heard a loud pop. A rear tire had blown out. The tow truck driver arrived quickly and changed my tire. The pickup truck parked in front of me also had a blown rear tire and was being serviced by another AAA tow truck driver. I filed a claim with Caltrans for the damage to my car: $1,652.94. I received a letter from Caltrans denying my claim, stating, “The