legal advice?

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

Oldgeek

I'm old and can't wait another 20 years for a SB W
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
640
Name
Steve
I've got an issue where the trash truck got hung up in the cable line and pulled some siding off my house. I called them and they said the line was too low. I contacted the cable company and they said the line was within spec and that the trash company should pay. My homeowners deductible is $1000, so I don't want to go that route. Small claim court? Anyone ever have an experience like this? Granted this is Illinois.
 

RhodyRams

well hung member
Rams On Demand Sponsor
SportsBook Bookie
Moderator
Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
11,754
no legal advice from me, but is this the first time the trash truck has driven down your street?
Is it a private contractor or public?
Has the cable recently been replaced?

Just questions that I think would come up in small claims
 

bluecoconuts

Legend
Joined
May 28, 2011
Messages
13,073
Get a letter from the cable company saying it was within regulations and show it to the trash company. If the trash company still refuses, then contact a lawyer and go from there.

I would also try to see if there are any city/state regulations and measure yourself just to check, the cable company should have those regulations though to be honest, so check with them on that too.
 

12intheBox

Legend
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Messages
9,910
Name
Wil Fay
If you don't want to pay your deductible, then you aren't going to want to pay a lawyer and I don't see a lawyer taking this on a contingency. I would file suit against both of them in small claims court in the same action - allege that both parties were negligent and let them sort it out in their defense.
 

Oldgeek

I'm old and can't wait another 20 years for a SB W
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
640
Name
Steve
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Thanks for the input, I think it will be small claims court, The estimate to fix is only $400 so not horrible, more a matter of principle.
 

Selassie I

H. I. M.
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
17,621
Name
Haole
A friend of mine is a big wig for Waste Pro (a big garbage company here in FL). He told me that the key thing is that you reported the accident to them within 24 hours of it happening. They will do their best to get out of paying if possible... but if you get all your ducks in a row they will pay.
 

RamzFanz

Damnit
Joined
Jun 4, 2013
Messages
9,029
A cable drop needs 12' of clearance minimum over a roadway. Was it the truck or a robotic arm? No way the truck is 12', hence the regulation.

Quite frankly, it seems pretty obvious to me, if the cable was so low a truck hit it, it's always the cable, otherwise that truck would be ripping down drops all day long.
 

Oldgeek

I'm old and can't wait another 20 years for a SB W
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
640
Name
Steve
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
It was the arm that hit the line and pulled it. Now the neighbor is saying the Electric company might have hit the line last week while moving some of their lines and made it hang lower. It gets better every freakin' day. I'm getting estimates now, but it looks like it can be fixed for less than $150, but I'm going to do my best to get it back. I'm retired and I've got all day to play their games. Thanks for the input!