Try not to have an accident in Pennsylvania. It will cost you.

[Byteme]

I thought this is what gasoline taxes and other state revenue was suppose to pay for. 


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Financially Troubled Pennsylvania Sends Car Crash Amputee Bill for Damaged Guardrail  By Justin Rohrlich  October 20, 2010 11:28 AM


A January crash on Pennsylvania's Interstate 80 ripped off Marzena Mulawka's right leg and shattered her left leg, pelvis and back.

After eight surgeries in five months, Mulawka finally -- sort of -- got her life back.

She also got a bill for $2,509.42 from the state of Pennsylvania for -- wait for it -- damaging the highway guardrail in the crash that severed her leg. PennDOT spokesman Rich Kirkpatrick said "the situation (she) described is a tragedy," and said the matter was under review. "I just don't know why this happened."

Maybe it's because much of Pennsylvania is desperate for cash?

In September, Pennsylvania?s capital city, Harrisburg, got an advance on state aid to meet $3.3 million in bond payments, averting "what would have been the second-largest general-obligation default in the U.S. this year," according to Bloomberg.

Harrisburg?s default would have raised borrowing costs for other Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts, and might have even made credit unobtainable. The city has also skipped $8 million in payments so far this year and "is negotiating for relief with the Harrisburg Authority, which also operates the city?s water and sewer system; the bonds? insurer, Hamilton, Bermuda-based Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., and Dauphin County, where the city is located, which is co-guarantor on some of the bonds."

Whether or not trying to extract two grand for a damaged guardrail from a woman whose life was permanently altered in a horrific accident would do much to close Pennsylvania's budget gap is debatable.

But I do know one thing: next time I travel to the Keystone State, I'm taking the train.

[giant_mtb]

The PennDOT spokesman basically said "what the fuck?" which implies that this was probably some sort of mistake and that it'll be looked at further and perhaps be taken back.

So, until there's confirmation on whether or not this happens, this story doesn't mean jack shit.

[GoCougs]

No, taxes should be not used to subvert responsibility.

It should cost her - that it was government property doesn't equate to a free pass; she damaged it (presumably she was at fault) she should be held responsible.

[Byteme]

The PennDOT spokesman basically said "what the fuck?" which implies that this was probably some sort of mistake and that it'll be looked at further and perhaps be taken back.

So, until there's confirmation on whether or not this happens, this story doesn't mean jack shit.

Well actually it does.  It happened, the only question now is why.  Someone sent the woman a bill and I doubt that a state worker took it upon themselves to make the decision to bill the woman without some kind of authorization from the state that told them to do so. 

[giant_mtb]

For me, the only way I would consider this a major issue for Pennsylvania is if it has happened numerous times to numerous people.  A single case (read: a fluke) is insignificant.  Without support of many similar cases of the same vein, this is simply read as a fluke in the system.

That's how I feel, anyways. 

[NomisR]

Here's the questions, why's she running into the guard rail in the first place?  If she had not run into the guard rail, none of this would've happened. 

Actually, running into the guard rail is something I dont' understand... too often, i've seen guard rails on the freeway being bashed up and concrete dividers full of scuff marks from cars scraping their cars on them.  Now, why is this even happening? 

[MaxPower]

Terrible article.  How does this trash even get printed?  The article starts with PennDOT, a state agency, and then goes on a tangent to slam Harrisburg, a city, which is in dire financial straits and has little to do with the state's finances.  If the article is complaining about state funding problems, it should have picked a state funding disaster instead of falsely sensationalizing a tragic story. 

[Byteme]

Here's the questions, why's she running into the guard rail in the first place?  If she had not run into the guard rail, none of this would've happened. 

Actually, running into the guard rail is something I dont' understand... too often, i've seen guard rails on the freeway being bashed up and concrete dividers full of scuff marks from cars scraping their cars on them.  Now, why is this even happening? 

Someone losing control after a blowout
Someone hits a slick patch of snow or ice
Someone tries to change lanes without looking and forces another car into the guardrail or barrier. 

Could be any number or legitimate reasons.

[NomisR]

Someone losing control after a blowout
Someone hits a slick patch of snow or ice
Someone tries to change lanes without looking and forces another car into the guardrail or barrier. 

Could be any number or legitimate reasons.

Or like this person I saw in my rear view mirror;  She exited the offramp too fast, started going sideways, bounce off of the curb, HARD.. and then continue driving.  If the line at the offramp was any longer, she would've rear ended a lot of cars. 

I've also seen a car who drove right into one of those water barrier things because he couldn't make up his mind on wether to go on the 105E or say on the 110S.. while going VERY slowly too.  Just right into the damn thing..

I think it's mostly inability to drive or distracted driving than what you've mentioned above.  Single car flipping over on the freeway?  Yeah, that's one of them... and all 4 tires looks in tact..

[MX793]

Why should Joe Taxpayer pay for damage to public property that was caused by one individual?  It's always been my understanding that if you get in a crash that's your fault and you take out a guard rail or lamp post or road sign, you're financially responsible to pay for the repairs (same as if you ran into an individual's car or picket fence or house).  It was my understanding the liability insurance (mandatory in many states, not sure about PA) covered such property damage if you were at fault anyway.

[Madman]

Does this mean if my car sufferes damage due to the city/state failing to properly maintain the road, I can submit a claim against the city/state for damages?

This works both ways.

[NomisR]

Does this mean if my car sufferes damage due to the city/state failing to properly maintain the road, I can submit a claim against the city/state for damages?

This works both ways.

Actually, yes you can.  At least so i've heard

[GoCougs]

Does this mean if my car sufferes damage due to the city/state failing to properly maintain the road, I can submit a claim against the city/state for damages?

This works both ways.

Of course you can - this is America - thankfully anyone can sue anyone at anytime for anything - it's really no different than going after a private individual for damaging your car.

[MX793]

Does this mean if my car sufferes damage due to the city/state failing to properly maintain the road, I can submit a claim against the city/state for damages?

This works both ways.

Absolutely.  In fact, I've heard of people submitting a claim against a city/town (and being compensated) when a massive pothole damaged their rim.  People have also sued when they fell through an unmarked open manhole or stormdrain cover.

[J86]

Absolutely.  In fact, I've heard of people submitting a claim against a city/town (and being compensated) when a massive pothole damaged their rim.  People have also sued when they fell through an unmarked open manhole or stormdrain cover.

My neighbor got a new rim from the town for her Yukon XL after she damaged it driving over a "repaired" pothole.

[the Teuton]

I knew there was a reason I didn't like PennDOT...

[RomanChariot]

Several years back I sold a car to a college student.  The sale went fine, I removed the plates from the car and sent her on her way.  About a year later I get a letter from an impound yard in California (I live in Utah) letting me know that they have my car (wrecked) and I should come pick it up.  I called them and said the car was no longer mine and I would not be coming to get it.

Shortly after that I get a letter from the state of California telling me to pay $5000 for the guard rail that was damaged.  I called the number on the letter and after much discussion they told me that even though I sold the car, they showed it belonging to me and therefore I had to pay the $5000.  I told them they would get blood from a turnip before they got money from me and that they had no jurisdiction over me since I did not live in their state.  I don't think the lady liked that very much but she realized I was right.

As a favor to California, I called the local DMV and found out that my car's title truly had been changed over to the girl who I sold it to.  I called California again and gave them this information and the lady asked me how I got it.  I told her that I called the Utah DMV and that she should try doing the same to get her information straight.  That was my last discussion with her.

About a month after that a letter came in the mail from the state of California addressed to the girl that I sold the car to at my address.  I marked it return to sender as she had never lived at my address.  Sometimes dealing with government entities can be a real test of one's patience.

[AutobahnSHO]

{{{Long story here}}}  Sometimes ALWAYS dealing with government entities can be a real test of one's patience.

Fixed it for ya.

I know in Germany the city/county whatever goes after the insurance company for all cleanup/response costs for accidents. They'll even fine you for "failure to maintain control" if you hit a tree. Plus charge you whatever damage you did to the tree.

People are more careful drivers there. Wonder if that's cause or effect?

[Onslaught]

Does this mean if my car sufferes damage due to the city/state failing to properly maintain the road, I can submit a claim against the city/state for damages?

This works both ways.

Yes you can. But it can be a bitch to get anything from them. You have to fight your ass off but they just send you a bill.