This time of year, potholes most likely have many of you bouncing up and down in your car seat, but there are also some costly risks.

The average cost to repair your car after hitting a pothole last year was $406, according to AAA. With how prices have been rising, it's expected to be one of the most expensive times to get your vehicle fixed this year.

If you’ve found yourself frustrated and stranded by the cracking and crumbling state of the roads, you’re not alone. Last year, a AAA survey found nearly 2 out of 10 drivers had to get their vehicle repaired after hitting a pothole. Researchers estimated that pothole damage was up 57% nationally.

During the winter, 14% of calls to AAA were tire-related. That’s been holding true for this year as well. 

So here's what AAA suggests.

Check your tires. Like Goldilocks, your tires prefer the pressure to be just right. Check the PSI at least once a month before driving when the tires have been at rest and are not yet warmed up. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure. That sticker is inside the driver’s side door.

When it comes to driving, don’t make an abrupt movement to avoid the road crater.

“The big thing is to make sure that you're always scanning the road ahead, looking down at the pavement, up at any stop sign or stoplights," said Dan Fisher, ERS dispatcher with AAA. "And as you see potholes, slow down. It's actually better to hit them slower than faster. It increases the risk of more significant damage the faster you go over them.”

The other piece of advice Dan Fisher gives is to be mindful of a pothole's depth. Rain fills them up making it more difficult to judge their depth. If it’s a deeper hole, the slower you should go.

If you do hit a pothole and you’re car is fine, keep driving. If you want to stop and check it out, because it can be jarring, Fisher says find a safe place that isn’t the side of the road.

The same goes for when a warning light comes on or if you notice your vehicle driving differently. In that case, you should get off at the nearest exit or parking lot.

Tires are expensive but not $400 a piece usually. So why is the average cost of pothole repairs so high? Fisher says suspension and shocks can get damaged. That’s where it adds up, especially when you add in labor.

According to Fisher and AAA, the average age of a vehicle right now is 12 years old. All that wear and tear over the years makes any part of a vehicle more susceptible to damage.

Fisher suggests checking to see whether your town or city will cover any cost of repairs.