If your vehicle was damaged by flooding at the Reston Park and Ride last week, you could be entitled to compensation. According to VDOT:

If your vehicle was damaged during the Sept. 8 storm that flooded the North Reston park and ride lot, you have the right to file a claim with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).  However, in order for the claim to be honored, there must be a determination that VDOT was negligent.

“We don’t want to discourage any vehicle owner from filing a claim but it’s important folks understand how the process works and that there must be negligence for the claim to be honored,” said Garrett Moore, VDOT northern Virginia district administrator.

VDOT is of the opinion that there was no negligence in the design, construction or maintenance of the Reston North park-and-ride lot. The Reston lot, at the corner of Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue, was overwhelmed by water as were more than 100 other roads in Fairfax County on Sept. 8. The floodwater in the lot receded the next morning.

As with any tort claim against VDOT, if it is determined that VDOT was negligent the agency has the authority to settle claims up to $1,000.  Those claims should be addressed to: VDOT Fairfax Maintenance, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, ATTN: Cynthia Mercer. The letter should include the date, time and location of the event, daytime phone or other contact information, photos and any other documentation to support the claim along with a signature.

Claims over $1,000 come under the authority of the Virginia Department of Risk Management. Those claims should be addressed to the Virginia Division of Risk Management, P.O. Box 1879, Richmond, VA 23218-1879. The phone number is 804-786-3152.