meter reader did massive damage to my yard

NuclearNed

Raconteur
May 18, 2001
7,882
380
126
My house is at the top of a really big, steep hill. Because of the massive snowstorm that blew through the past couple of days, my driveway is completely iced over.

The meter reader showed up today and decided to drive to the top of my hill. Somewhere along the line, he slid off my driveway into my yard and apparently got stuck. He dug up a bunch of my yard, then apparently decided that since he couldn't get his vehicle back on my driveway, he would just drive across my front yard to a low point on our road. According to my wife, he made an enormous mess and dug up all sorts of grass, mulch, etc. Of course, he didn't call us and try to explain or anything - the only way we even know that it was him is he left tracks all the way to our meter.

What to do?

*** post-lunch edit ***
I surveyed the "carnage" during lunch. It's really not all that bad; the wife even admitted that after her initial rage subsided, that she didn't think it was that bad either. He did a lot of driving around in my lawn and did some minimal damage, but nothing that 2-3 weeks of spring growth won't fix. The place at the bottom of my hill where he got majorly stuck is pretty badly dug up, but it is right in the middle of a mulch bed. A few minutes of raking, and the damage will be completely fixed. My driveway has a monkeygrass border with has a short wood retainer; I have to assume that it broke when he slid over it, but it was rotten and needed to be replaced anyway. All in all, I don't think it is worth the grief to argue with the utility company over this when all of it is so easily fixable. I would have respected the guy had he called and owned up to it, but he's apparently not the responsible type. Oh well.
 
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bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
You can demand they repair all the damage he caused. Meter readers are supposed to WALK to your meter to read it. Worst case, if they can't get to it, you get an ESTIMATED Bill for that month.
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
as others have said, i would probably take pictures and complain and demand restitution. however, they will probably just say you need to provide a safe venue to your meter, free of ice or other impediments.
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
Yes, maybe they will, but that does not excuse them from Driving over the lawn. As I said above, if they can't get to it, they Will Provide An Estimated Bill. It has happened to me many a time and my meter is easily gotten to (outside and on flat ground), just some lazy bum that doesn't want to do his job.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,775
5,937
146
as others have said, i would probably take pictures and complain and demand restitution. however, they will probably just say you need to provide a safe venue to your meter, free of ice or other impediments.
That does not absolve them of the damage in any way. Can't get there, I guess we estimate your bill and let you know we need access.
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
watch out though. If you live anywhere near Analog, he might shoot the coyotes before they get to dispose of the body.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
It could be worse.
He could have stopped and peed in your yard.
Is it true only the delivery guys do that in your country?

D:
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
watch out though. If you live anywhere near Analog, he might shoot the coyotes before they get to dispose of the body.


"OMG this guy was shot in my yard and it looks like the same type of gunshot that killed those coyotes out back as well." :sneaky:
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
Should have taken pics during the incident to ID the truck and the driver.