Need Advice on How to Proceed

Updated on April 14, 2009
M.A. asks from Lubbock, TX
12 answers

We live in a neighborhood that allows recreational vehicles, so we have golf carts, 4 wheelers, dirt bikes, mules, etc. driving up and down our streets all the time. Most of these vehicles are operated by young kids. We do not have sidewalks and the homes have large brick mailboxes at the edge of the yards right up to the road.

Well, about 6 months ago, one of my own children ran into a neighbors mailbox with our golf cart and demolished it. We went over right away to make sure no one was hurt and began cleaning up the mess. The very next day we had someone over there replacing the guy's mailbox. It cost $850!!!

So, this past Friday night, our mailbox was hit. Unfortunately no one has fessed up. I did have an officer out the next day just to have documentation of it. He said that it was more than likely one of the before mentioned recreational vehicles as opposed to a car or truck just based on the scene. I sent out an e-mail to our neighborhood association just asking if anyone had any information. I would not be mad - I know it was an accident. I just want whomever is responsible to pay to have it replaced.

I just don't know if I should send another e-mail stating what the officer said to make some of the parents out here take a closer look at their vehicles. (Some of the mules and stuff have big grill guards where it might not even show any damage...).

Insurance would not come into play as our deductible is more than the cost of a new mailbox. So, I was just going to ask if y'all had any advice or if I am just going to have to fork over the $850+.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for the responses. Nobody ever came forward, so we are just going to get some bids to have our brick mailbox rebuilt. Hopefully, we can find someone to do it for less than $850!

Featured Answers

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

M.,

I don't have advice on how to proceed but I wanted to comment on the $850 to replace the mailbox. My husband rebuilds them all the time and that just seems to me to be extremely high.

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds like you are just gonna have to be the victim of a hit and run. But I would not put up protective poles around your mailbox; it might be against the HOA architecture rules. Also, you can get sued in civil court if someone is hurt hitting your defenses. I know it's ridiculous, but in today's ridiculous litigios society, it can happened. It happened to one of my professors in college that protected his mailbox with a concrete pole and a drunk kid hit it one night and the impact killed him. The family sued and won.

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

Ouch!

Sounds like this might have to come out of your pocket too!

You might want to install large metal pipes in the ground on both sides of your mailbox! That will protect it and will be cheaper to replace than the mailbox if they get hit.

So sorry for your trouble!

M.D.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
I'm in agreement with the other mothers, go ahead and send an email out, but you'll probably be coming out of your pocket. I too, want to let you know how much I do admire your integrity, you've shown this to your children when they broke the neighbor's mailbox. That is priceless, you've taught them to be honest and respectful. Now they get to see how cowards act. I know that's a good amount of money if the responsible party doesn't come forward; however you'll be rewarded some day. The really sad part is who ever did it, probably told their parents, and even the parents are being cowards and that is what they are teaching their children...
I'm proud of you M.!

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

That is very unfortunate! Especially since you guys paid for neighbors mailbox. You may just have to fork over the $850 and realize that is the price that comes with living in a neighborhood that allows recreational vehicles to be operated by young kids. However, maybe someone will eventually come forward; however, I bet it is a very scared kid :(

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B.P.

answers from Abilene on

Not that it will probably make a difference, but you might mention in a 2nd email that the responsible family would not have to pay for the damage out of their own pocket. Their homeowners or renters insurance would cover it.

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I would send the email, and look around for someone to do it cheaper. Unfortunately, you are probably going to have to pay for it yourself, but save the receipt! Maybe someone will come forward later. I know there are handymen out there that are much cheaper and wouldn't charge you half that amount!

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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Send the email, it probably won't accomplish anything, but it is the principle of the matter. The person who did it atleast needs to have their guilty concscience nudged again!

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Bless you for being honest and putting up the money to replace what your children accidently damaged.

So many people do not think like we do. They also do not teach their children as we do.. We just have to understand that aspect of life.

This will probably come out of YOUR pocket AGAIN and unfairly, of course because you were honest from the get go.

I admire your honesty and hopefully someone will see and react to your mature response and anty up.

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

Unfotunately you will probably have to pay for this yourself. I'm sure you could get it done for less than $850. I would shop around. People are more likely not to shop around and spend more money when it's not coming out of their pocket. Good Luck and good job taking care of your responsiblilty. It's sad that you can't expect the same in return.

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B.D.

answers from Dallas on

I feel for your situation and don't know how much you can change for your current condition, but we also live in a golf course community. What we did to help prevent all kinds of accidents was to make a change in the homeowner bylaws to enforce that only licensed drivers operate golf carts. Don't know if you want to go that route since you allow your kids to drive them but overall it would be safer for the community at large.

Good Luck.

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K.H.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M., I'm sorry you are having problems.
I live in a small country town & kids destroy mail
boxes a lot. It is a Federal Offense. I'm sure you
knew that. Do you have a special type of mail box ?
Have you priced them at Lowes or Wal-Mart. They aren't difficult to replace and not very expensive. I replaced mine last year for $15.00. I feel sure you could get the job done for much less that $850.
More than likely no one is going to fess up if they haven't already. It's a shame there aren't more honest
people in the world. I wouldn't waste my time on trying to find out who done it. Do check the prices before you pay the same people to replace it.
God Bless you & yours.

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