Senior Risk Management Technician
Potholes, debris and aliens – oh my! Those are just some of the
damage claims turned into the MoDOT St. Louis risk management department. The department receives between four and 30
claims a day for incidents on Missouri roads.
The common complaints damage caused by potholes, road debris, falling
signs, signal malfunctions and wet striping paint but one of the more bizarre cases
involved a customer who reported an
unidentified flying object struck her vehicle
on an open stretch of I-70 in 2016.
MoDOT unfortunately had to deny any liability for the phenomenon.
MoDOT’s liability is based on Missouri Revised Statute 537.600
which states MoDOT is not legally liable for a hazard unless it had sufficient time
and knowledge to have taken measures to protect
against it. In other words, MoDOT must determine an accident was caused by willful negligence in order for
a customer to be reimbursed for expenses.
In 2017, MoDOT paid approximately $3.2 million for 222 claims
statewide.
Most people are surprised to learn they have the right to file
claims for damage. The claims
process reflects
MoDOT’s transparent approach to customer service. Claims can be filed online and are analyzed, processed and submitted to a Jefferson City claims
adjuster for investigation. Customers
usually receive a response within 48 hours.
The one difference is for claims in construction zones, which are sent
to the contractor for investigation.
As long as there are roads and customers to travel on them, we
can assume that liability claims will keep life at MoDOT
busy and a little
amusing.
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