Cashing in on pothole claim not so easy
COMMENT: Has your car been damaged by a pothole?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
When Alicia Monogioudis' car hit a deep pothole on South Main Street in Middletown a week ago, the impact was so jarring the vehicle stalled.
"Our car just stopped," said Monogioudis, who was on her way home to Trenton on March 14 when the incident occurred. "The rim got all bent and scratched and the tire needed to be replaced."
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Get latest headlines via RSS feedsMonogioudis went to the city's finance department to see if the city would take responsibility for the nearly $200 damage to her automobile. She said the clerk told her to fill out a claim form and the city's insurance company would handle it.
A few days later the city's insurance company called and said her claim would not be covered because the city wasn't liable, Monogioudis said. The agent told her the city would only have to pay if they knew about the pothole ahead of time, she said.
"It's a little irritating," said Monogioudis. "I understand that (city officials) are trying (to fix the streets), but it seems like they should take some sort of responsibility, but they are not."
About a dozen or more motorists — including Monogioudis' mother, Sue Brashear, of Trenton — complained of hitting a pothole on Lafayette Avenue near Verity Parkway this month.
Sara Mills, Middletown's assistant law director, said it is up to the city's insurance carrier whether a damage claim is paid; those whose car is damaged by hitting a pothole should call the finance department at (513) 727-3691 to request a claim form.
But Monogioudis warns residents not to expect too much.
"I was just really disgusted with the whole thing," she said. "The people at the city are nice to you ... but when their insurance company calls, you're basically all alone."
Comments
By MindOverMatter
March 28, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
TIRED, Yes, Semi’s (contribute) to the already pre-exsisting problem. Now, compound extra re-routed (any vehicles over 3 ton)traffic to the mix and this is what you tax payers get when the City of Monroe and Butler County decide to close off the Yankee Rd., Todd Hunter connection to ST. RT 63 for vehicles over 3 ton. This has 2 or more reasons (1) the culvert bridge needs replaced and(2)no Semi traffic in their SCHOOL Zone.
By karen
March 24, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
I have lived in middletown for over 15 years, middletown is the worse city to repair or take care of our city, they want to raise the taxes, well, give better treatment to our city and maybe things may change
By Frankie Neal
March 24, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
My mother has lived at the corner of van and catalpa for over 50 yrs and the city has never blacktopped between catalpa and malvern st. About 45 yrs ago they put down some tar and then spread gravel on top and that was it. They blacktopped the alleys in the neighborhood twice but never that section of van between catalpa and malvern. There is always a pot hole and standing water somewhere in that block. This should be looked at by someone that could get this fixed. Concerned
By yannalynn
March 24, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
I have had enough of the road conditions on Yankee from Oxford State to 14th! One stretch from the taffic light at Pershing to the junk yard is so bad that you cannot find any real road surface that is not damaged. It has caused problems for longer than I can remember. I have had exhaust systems loosen and rims get misshapen I pay my taxes and have no choice other than to drive this road If Spitbaby wants to try it for week and not get fed up Then I might try to care about spitbaby’s opinion
By enetzley
March 24, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Try driving down North Breiel going towards 73. You have to dodge left and right to avoid all the potholes. It doesn’t matter what lane you get in. Right after you pass through the by Manchester Tech. on N. Breiel and all the way down to the light at N. Breiel and Riverview. I go to pick up my daughter at daycare and it’s like zig zag all the way down the road just to try to avoid the holes. I need an alignment and new windshield from loose stones.
By enetzley
March 24, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Try driving down North Breiel going towards 73. You have to dodge left and right to avoid all the potholes. It doesn’t matter what lane you get in. Right after you pass through the by Manchester Tech. on N. Breiel and all the way down to the light at N. Breiel and Riverview. I go to pick up my daughter at daycare and it’s like zig zag all the way down the road just to try to avoid the holes. I need an alignment and new windshield from loose stones.
By REBECCA KELLY
March 24, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
INSTEAD OF RAISING TAX TO REPAIR OUR STREETS WHY NOT RECYCLE THE ASPHALT THAT WAS LAID ALONG THE RIVER FOR A BIKE PATH AND PUT THAT ASPHALT IN OUR POTHOLES WHERE IT WILL BE OF MORE USE TO ALL OF US RATHER THAN A SELECT FEW WHO WANT TO RIDE A BIKE ALONG THE RIVER, SOME OF US DON’T HAVE TIME TO RIDE BIKE’S BUT WE DO DESERVE TO GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES SAFE.
By REBECCA KELLY
March 24, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
INSTEAD OF RAISING TAX TO REPAIR OUR STREETS WHY NOT RECYCLE THE ASPHALT THAT WAS LAID ALONG THE RIVER FOR A BIKE PATH AND PUT THAT ASPHALT IN OUR POTHOLES WHERE IT WILL BE OF MORE USE TO ALL OF US RATHER THAN A SELECT FEW WHO WANT TO RIDE A BIKE ALONG THE RIVER, SOME OF US DON’T HAVE TIME TO RIDE BIKE’S BUT WE DO DESERVE TO GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES SAFE.
By REBECCA KELLY
March 24, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
INSTEAD OF RAISING TAX TO REPAIR OUR STREETS WHY NOT RECYCLE THE ASPHALT THAT WAS LAID ALONG THE RIVER FOR A BIKE PATH AND PUT THAT ASPHALT IN OUR POTHOLES WHERE IT WILL BE OF MORE USE TO ALL OF US RATHER THAN A SELECT FEW WHO WANT TO RIDE A BIKE ALONG THE RIVER, SOME OF US DON’T HAVE TIME TO RIDE BIKE’S BUT WE DO DESERVE TO GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES SAFE.
By SeriousEnuff
March 24, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I travel all over Ohio through work, and I don’t know of another community whose streets are in worse shape than Middletown’s. It is embarrassing that the streets are in such bad shape and no plans to improve (that the public is aware of). I bowl in Middletown twice a week and my car takes a beating on those two days.
By Debi
March 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to say there are numerous potholes around I75 and 122 if you dodge one you will find yourself in a continueous pot hole that you can’t avoid either way right or left. The City and the potholes are a never ending subject. It’s who you are or who you know in this town that will get you what you want. You can have a couple of good City Councilmen but if they all aren’t cooperative then two cannot get it done.
By Debi
March 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to say there are numerous potholes around I75 and 122 if you dodge one you will find yourself in a continueous pot hole that you can’t avoid either way right or left. The City and the potholes are a never ending subject. It’s who you are or who you know in this town that will get you what you want. You can have a couple of good City Councilmen but if they all aren’t cooperative then two cannot get it done.
By Carrie
March 24, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I have been on the city many many times regarding the potholes on South Sutphin Street. They are so bad that the rocks and brown substance is all over the side of my car. The rocks have made many dents and scratches on my car. The brown residue had to be removed by engine cleaner. The city is aware of the pot holes on Sutphin street, cause they have been patched about a dozen times (poorly patched). I have to clean up the rocks about twice a week cause the city will not fix or clean the problem
By neverchanges12
March 24, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
My friend hit the pothole on Lafayette in this article and the city will not pay her claim either. They told her ” We were unaware until you called us that there was an issue there again” this is after they told her ” we’ve fixed the about 4times. It is an issue.” (I heard first hand- she wa on speaker phone) If it was such an issue, then why didn’t they put one of those metal plate things over it for safety until it could be fixed?
By Ted
March 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I’ve lived in Middletown for 35 years & except for a water main break the City has never repaved any portion of my street. You can’t just blame the current council & city manager. However, they don’t appear to have a plan to address the problem that does not include increasing our taxes. I don’t see them ever coming up with an idea unless the State allows bonds or some other means of financing the project. It has been ignored too long.
By TREB5702
March 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
I have grown up here all my life and have watched this city turn into a dying city that I am embarrassed of. There are actually too many potholes to even mention. If the city can’t just get out and drive and fix them without having to get a call about it, ridiculous. It doesn’t take long to find them. Middletown is now the laughing stock.Be careful going to Burger King,Blockbuster,oh yeah make sure you take a jeep down Lefferson or Oxford State Rd, yankee,verity,rt4,all of the roads basically.
By eyesore14
March 23, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
I work in this city and drive for my job, the streets in middletown are getting worse and nothing is being done. The city will not pay to have the streets paved unless they can pass the cost off on to the homeowners with new curbs and gutters which is assesed to your property taxes. Things wont get better until you get rid of the people in charge of that city!!!!!!!!!!!!
By eyesore14
March 23, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
I work in this city and drive for my job, the streets in middletown are getting worse and nothing is being done. The city will not pay to have the streets paved unless they can pass the cost off on to the homeowners with new curbs and gutters which is assesed to your property taxes. Things wont get better until you get rid of the people in charge of that city!!!!!!!!!!!!
By eyesore14
March 23, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
I work in this city and drive for my job, the streets in middletown are getting worse and nothing is being done. The city will not pay to have the streets paved unless they can pass the cost off on to the homeowners with new curbs and gutters which is assesed to your property taxes. Things wont get better until you get rid of the people in charge of that city!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Brian
March 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
If you go to the city of Middletown web site there is a link that will allow you to report pot holes that need to be repaired. I have used this site several times and the holes I reported were fixed within a day or two.
By Ray
March 23, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Middletown roads stink. If the leadership and maintenance crew doesn’t know a pothole exsists it’s because thaey lost count and are sleeping the job…..and embezzling taxpayer dollars by using it all projects that average taxpayer couldn’t care less about!!!!!!!! Special interst groups and AK is all Middletown leadership knows. Let Mr. Weinscott file a tire claim….bet it gets paid!! Can we have a Boston Tea Party in Middletown?
By Tommy
March 23, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
all the city is worried bout is gettin money in there pocket they are not worried bout the streets nor what happens to ur car…these streets will just get worse
By Bob
March 23, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Middletown streets use to be well mantained decades ago. But since then, The one’s that use to do it have either retired or passed away.And nobody left direction’s how to do it.Go Figure!
By middletown redneck
March 23, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
My ford f150 hit a tree planting pot hole the other day but since i bought the heavy duty package with my $100.00 bucks i just ran there right over it. yall better quit cha bitchin and jus drive.
By countrylady
March 23, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
To Tired who claimed it is the big rigs that make the pot holes…nonsense. I live in the country and there are potholes out here big enough to plant trees. Not a big rig in site.
By Carlene
March 23, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
The only decent roads in Middletown are the ones out by the mall and I75, where travelers get off to eat. Their 1st impression of the area is good. If they never go into the suburbs on the south end of town they may even be suckered into buying a home in Middletown. But I work outside of Middletown and it is the talk and joke of the lunch room. And so are the people running the town. WAY TO GO!
By Amy
March 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I agree with everyone else, the pot holes are terrible and if the people who are in charge of seeing they get repaired had to drive on these sreets everday they would already be fixed! its not their vehicles that are getting damaged. I just had a front wheel alingment done not even a month ago and now I am in need of another one. You cant dodge them all!! but then again we are talking about Middletown the poorest city in Ohio thats charges the most for gas!!!
By TIRED
March 23, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
IT’S THE BIG RIGS DOING IT!!! I THINK EVERY SEMI TRUCK DRIVER THAT DRIVES ON ANY OF THESE STREETS SHOULD HAVE TO DONATE A $100.00 BUCKS TO HAVE THE POT HOLES FIXED!
By MindOverMatter
March 23, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
The City does’nt Mind hearing about the Pot Holes, because the fact of the Matter is, they and (their Insurance Co.) don’t have to pay for your damaged vehicle. So continue driving, like you took a stupid pill and make sure that where ever it is your going to in such a hurry, is worth losing your life or someone elses when you drive left of center into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Make sure you speed up to cut off the vehicle next to you, so you can avoid the pot hole in your lane.
By Kara
March 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
If the city does decide to replace roads, it will be the one’s that don’t have any pot holes! They have the money to do it; they just don’t feel that it is necessary! My brother hit a patch in the road that was not marked, by the new hospital, which should have had a sign to read BUMP! Next time take a camera with you and make sure that you take a picture of you cell phone that carries the time and date that it happened. 3 out of 4 18in rims were bent, and Middletown replaced them. Trying to HELP
By debbie
March 23, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
I think it is every cities rule to leave some potholes. Think about it, if you didn’t hit the pothole you wouldn’t have to spend any money, but since you did, well it puts $200 into the economy that it wouldn’t have gotten had the pothole not been there.
By mike
March 23, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
each of us fix one pot hole . put a couple bags of driveway patch & a rake in the trunk of our car. don’t get run over. drive safe.
By T. Lewis
March 23, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Stop complaining. You live in Ohio because you like its four season: Sumner, Fall, Winter and pothole season.
By Ms. M.
March 23, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
My husband and I have a pot hole alert between us when we are both in the car. One or the other calls out “Pot Hole Left or Pot Hole Right” Two pairs of eyes are better than one pair. Works for us. Insurance on a pot hole is like that of a tree….meaning if notified that it is about to fall and nothing is done than the responsible party’s insurance has to pay if damages occur but if nothing is said then it becomes an act of nature and the damage is paid by you.
By don
March 23, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
too spitbaby ,you must be a city worker. I just drove down s. sutphin and it was like driving through a mine field. That road should have been paved 5 years ago but what does the city do, put a traffic counter there to see how many people drive it, like there doing something. I hit one on roosevelt the other day and it threw my truck sideways, it was a amazing i didnt take someone out.
By sharon
March 23, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
In February, one morning around 5 a.m. after a snowfall, a Lebanon city plow ran a stop sign and hit my husband’s car. Because the driver was in the act of plowing snow, the city’s insurance company refused to pay for damages. It doesn’t take much of an excuse for an insurance company to deny payment even when it’s their party at fault.
By knock on wood
March 23, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
There has been a giant pothole in front o U-Haul for over a week. You would think with as many city vehicles passing it it would have been fixed by now. North Nelbar has quite a few tire busters northbound.
By mike
March 23, 2008 4:24 AM | Link to this
this is the golden rule insurance companys have the gold they write the RULES.
By chris
March 23, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this
Spitbaby, I had to go left of center on Oxford State to dodge the potholes. Its ridiculous. Maybe my insurance company will claim I am not repsonsible if someone slips on some ice next winter in front of my house. After all, I can’t possibly know about every sheet of ice on my property, can I?
By truckin bozo
March 23, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
in the right lane of i-75 southbound in the middletown/rt.63 area are some big ones. i hit one and it knocked my drink out of my cup holder and it changed the radio station. gadzooks !
By Spitbaby
March 23, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Hang up the cell phone and pay attention where you are going and maybe you won’t drive into huge holes in the road.