this is my situation and i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what i should do now (including lick your wounds and get over it)

following is the letter i wrote to the department of transportation:
XXXXXX, Resident Engineer, I am writing you on the suggestion of Captain XXXX of the Sheriff’s department about my unfortunate encounter on Greenbank Road on Monday, October 11, 2004.
On the afternoon of October 11th, at approximately 5:20 pm, I left XXXX traveling on Greenbank road. As I drove down the road, I passed a Loose Gravel sign and thought little of it, not realizing that this sign would incorrectly notify me of eminent danger. All of a sudden I noticed a ravine in the road that spanned the entire length of the road providing me no opportunity to avoid it. As I hit the ravine, my 1998 VW Beetle ‘bottomed out’ and was accompanied by a loud noise. I pulled off the road and looked under the engine compartment -- sure enough oil was coming out of my oil pan. I had my vehicle towed to the XXXX auto repair facility on XXXX and then returned to the site of the incident to take pictures of the scene. Upon arriving back I noticed that there were several flares set up and met Captain XXXX of the Stafford County Sheriffs department who had phoned in the incident, set the flares up, covered my oil leak with sand and had found a chunk of my oil pan. He then phoned in my information to add to the incident report that he filed (my name, vehicle and license plate). He gave me the name of a contact at the local VDOT, XXXXX, and told me that I should contact him. I thanked Captain XXXXX, took several pictures and retrieved the piece of my old oil pan.

The following morning, I called VDOT and left a message on XXXX’ voice mail, stating my situation and options on ‘getting back’ to me. After XXXX replaced the oil pan, I drove the VW Beetle but soon I noticed a generous amount of white smoke following my car as well as several other strange feelings/noises. I returned the vehicle to XXXX.

On the morning of October 13th, XXXX informed me that their expertise with diesel motors was limited and that my car would be best serviced by the VW dealership. I then had the vehicle towed to the VW dealership.

This morning, October 14th, I received a fax from XXXXX. I am requesting reimbursement for the cost of repairs necessitated by the road hazard.
they intern wrote back to me stating that there was nothing VDOT could do for me but if i wished to persue this further i could sue the state of VA but considering that this is a commonwealth they have soverign powers over its citizens and were not under any means obligated to compensate me in any fashion.

personally i think it stinks