Any person violating any law relating to or regulating the use of the improved public roads shall be liable for all damage resulting to any such street, highway, bridge or culvert by reason of such violation. In case of any injury to such street, highway, bridge or culvert, such damages shall be collected by civil action for recovery of such damages brought by the proper authorities of the municipality. All damages collected under this section shall be paid into the treasury of the municipality and credited to any fund for the repairs of streets, highways, roads, bridges or culverts.
(R.C. § 5577.12) (`96 Traffic Code, § 339.18)