Topeka vehicle damage payouts rise for third year in a row

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The City of Topeka has paid out more in vehicle damage claims for the third year in a row.

Channel 27 News issued a Kansas Open Records Act request on the total number of claims and the monetary amount paid by the city. As of Nov. 11, 2024, the city has received 37 damage claims and paid out 12 of them.

The largest payout was $7,926.49 plus $2,000. The claim alleged a city truck had merged into a woman's lane, causing damage to her car.

The city paid out a total of $36,233 for 12 of the claims that were approved. Of those 12, nine involved city vehicles. Of those claims, four involved Topeka Police Department (TPD) vehicles. None of the claims involving TPD were paid out. The claims alleged:

1. TPD caused an accident while attempting to make a U-turn.
2. The insured was hit by a TPD officer who was running a stop sign.
3. They collided with a TPD vehicle after it attempted a U-turn in front of them.
4. The Insured was hit by a TPD officer causing damages.

In 2023 the city of Topeka had a total of 113 claims. Eight vehicle damage claims were approved for payout for a total of $23,104.32, four times more than in 2022 when only two claims were paid out for $1,196.20.

According to AAA, 44 million drivers had to pay for pothole repairs last year with an average repair cost of $406.

“These same drivers ended up with an average of two pothole-related repairs signaling that America’s roadways need immediate attention,” a AAA report said. “AAA urges government officials and departments of transportation to focus on improving road conditions, prioritizing areas most in need of repair.”

In order to have claims paid out by the city, individuals must have substantial evidence to prove their liability. Last year a woman said she hit a large block of concrete while she swerved to avoid a pothole. She told 27 News that she was trying to find witnesses to support her claim.

Those who find themselves in similar situations are encouraged to send claims to the Office of the City Clerk. The City Attorney will then reach out within 10-14 days to discuss next steps. The City of Topeka can take up to 120 days to investigate a claim and lawsuits are not allowed unless those 120 days have passed or the claim has been officially denied. Claims can be filed online by clicking here.

Potholes in the city can be reported by calling 785-368-3111 or by submitting a SeeClickFix ticket by clicking here. To stay up to date on the latest local news, click here to download the KSNT News app for IOS or Android.