cshuttle

<center><img src="http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/news/img/apr03/goulbig042003.jpg"></center><p>So, I was minding my own business, driving on i95 into Philly a couple of weeks ago, when I spied the base of one of these construction barrels (see attached picture) sitting the middle of the road. The exact middle of the mother loving road.

Being that to the left of me was a concrete barrier, and to the right of me there was traffic, I had no choice but to hit the thing head on at 60mph or so. Immediately after hitting it, the check engine light blinked on. Sure enough, a glance at the bottom of the car shows a completely bent O2 sensor, and there's probably more damage there than I can see clearly. Not only that, but my alignment appears to be severely out of sorts immediately after the incident.

Now, I've seen a whole lot of people on here talking about road debris and such, and they're saying to let the insurance company take care of it. However, in this case, it's the construction company or the city that is responsible for the items on the road.

Has anybody had any experience dealing with this kind of stuff on a municipal level? I'm thinking about getting it repaired at Woodlawn and sending the city the bill...

meem

i agree that the city should be responsible. have you touched base with your insurance company to see what they say?

cshuttle

I haven't as yet, but I've been reluctant to do so for fear that they might just say, "That's a claimable issue."

On the other end of the stick, they'll probably be the best place to start looking in the right direction.

DrGP

you will need to prove that you actually hit their barrel. They could say that you hit something else and not their barrel. It might be difficult to prove. Try this: File a claim for damages with magistrate. If you don't win put it through your insurance. Difference is it will cost you some money for court costs if you lose. It will cost you the deductable if you go through insurance. It will cost you nothing if you win, but you have to factor in the cost of your time. BTW, if you win in court, they can appeal. The company will probably turn it over to their insurancs CO. You will not need a lawyer but you will need to prove what happened. If you can't prove it, give it to your insurance!

qfrog Ti20

the rest is going to be on your insurance company's tab.

Bigbottlebob

not knocked into it's location by another vehicle, you may have a claim with the agency having the work performed. There are standards for traffic control and barricades. There need to be warning signs at certain intervals etc etc
If the barricades weren't placed in compliance with the project specs (and even if they were, and someone moved it, the contractor is responsible to maintain the area)
I would contact the agency having the work performed, and ask for their help..
The contractor posts substantial insurance coverage for public construction projects
to cover this type of accident..<ul><li><a href="http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2003/pdf-index.htm">Federal traffic control manual</a></li></ul>