The local group of Teens Without Active Parents (TWAP's) is all about skateboarding. They have constructed several contraptions including ramps, grind boxes, etc to practice their "awesome tricks" (most of them fall on their butt most of the time). By the way, what I called a grind box == a box made primarily of 2x4's, with metal along the edges so that they can attempt to "grind" their boards along said edge (for more information on grinding, please go play TonyHawkProSkater). These TWAP's are not too terribly destructive, except on Halloween and select other times. They do like to wander around skateboarding, talking, yelling, laughing, & playing basketball at 3am. And of course, what better place for miscreants to skate board than the middle of the street. I decress from my story..
Had to drive my great-uncle to the pharmacy today. On the way back, I stopped by the hardware store that was said to be hiring to grab an application. As I pulled off the main road and headed toward my house, I noticed someone else pull off the main road at a faster speed. They were still a bit behind me, and since I hate these people who drive 30+mph in a neighborhood full of little children, I looked at my speedometer to make sure i was going well under 20 mph. (just to make the person coming up behind me slow down). About 30 seconds after glancing at my speedometer, I hear a loud bang, and my truck lurches both slightly in the air, and extremely to the right. Having just passed a parked car, I feared that I somehow had clipped the car, but was sure I was more than necessarily away from the parked car.
I stop the rest of the way, heart pounding, and am passed by the little red car doing 30mph+. He stares at me as he passes, as if the fact he was going too fast wasn't enough so he had to take his eyes off the road too. I get out of my truck, which is leaning extremely to the right. Go around the front of the truck, and see my passenger front tire burst. Then I look for what I had hit...
The TWAP's favorite grind box was less than 2' away from the front end of the parked car, with on corner sticking far out into the rest of the road. I curse, tell the neighbors who had come outside at the sound that I was okay, no I don't need a phone, the house is right there. I pull the truck into my driveway riding entirely on the right rim. Find the spare, which my stupid step-sister (entirely different rant) never returned to the truck after having to change a tire. I call the cops to see if I needed to file an ancident report, and what would need to be done about the TWAPs and their box. Spare tire on, talk to the cops and fill out an accident report. He heads over to talk to the TWAP's parents, and one of them simply flips the box over, landing it mostly on their lawn. Take the truck out for a test drive, to make sure everything works. Veer excessively to the right.. and any turn at 10mph squeels. I look at the two tires in a parking lot, and notice the front two tires are out of alignment. I know the spare is the same size as the original, since the spare is actually an old tire from before we had these newer one's put on.
Now, my questions: 1) How much does a front end alignment cost for a rear-wheel-drive pickup? 2) If we do try to claim this on our insurance, will it increase my rates? 3) Should I: a) steal the grind box b) destroy the grind box c) loosen every screw in the grind box until it will barely sustain its own weight d) just call the cops every time their out past 10pm making a ruckus. e) other options?
Feedback appreciated. Damned kids. If their parents cared at all, they wouldn't be out so late at night, so I know the cop talking to one parent won't do anything to alleviate the issue. I know my parents have both nearly hit their stuff in similar situations. Is there anything we can do?
quote: 1) How much does a front end alignment cost for a rear-wheel-drive pickup? 2) If we do try to claim this on our insurance, will it increase my rates? 3) Should I: a) steal the grind box b) destroy the grind box c) loosen every screw in the grind box until it will barely sustain its own weight d) just call the cops every time their out past 10pm making a ruckus. e) other options?
1. No idea - the price will vary by location. 2. More than likely, but that's a guess on my part. 3 a) No, that's theft and a prosecutable offense 3 b) Also a prosecutable offense 3 c) Sabotage, prosecutable and lawsuit worthy 3 d) Your best bet, considering they are constituting a hazard to passing motorists
Sounds like you could possibly have frame damage as well as misalignment. Glad you are okay, though sorry you have to deal with this.
Despite mutterings to the contrary ( ), I happen to think we have excellent professional advice available at Hatrack as a first step in sorting through options. The cop made a report, right? And he saw the grindbox or whatever in a position where it was an obstacle to traffic? I'd get a copy of the police report and hit Dagonee up for advice about a civil case to recoup some damages.
Document everything. Write something down even more detailed than above, specific to location, time, and course of detailed events. Get multiple estimates from local mechanics (usually free, AFAIK). Save receipts.
Don't do anything illegal yourself, okay?
[ September 18, 2004, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Sara Sasse ]
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Sara's right on. You may be required to report this to your insurance - your policy will say. If you are, make them do the work. Just report it and do what they say. Even if you're not required, you may want to, just to have a big company backing you.
On an Explorer, alignment runs something like $120. As Sara pointed, frame damage is a possibility. One way to get a cheap damage report is to take the car to CarMax to get a sales estimate from them. Their mechanic looks at the truck and lists damage.
If you don't, get all the documentation from the police. Get the repairs done at a reputable garage and keep all the receipts. Get an estimate first. If the estimate is more than the small claims court limit for your state, definitely go see a lawyer before you proceed with repairs. You should get the first consultation free. If the amount is less than the small claims amount, you may want to call legal aid and see what they say about it.
You may want to talk with the parents first, and ask them if they'd be willing to pay for the repairs. No reason to jump to court if you don't have to. Just don't say anything that would admit fault.
Dagonee P.S., be aware, you may be courting a lot of eggings, TPings, and assorted mayhem if you go after the skaters in any way.
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You could always try to bring the estimate to the parents first, Giving them a chance to pay without bringing it to court. You might be able to avoid tension between you and your neighbor that way.
posted
I think it'd be hilarious to loosen the screws!!
*pictures one of the kids going for a grind..* *pictures box instantly collapsing*
The kids themselves don't know that it was me that hit it. My legal address is not the house that we've been living at (in the TWAP neighborhood), so they can't trace me through the accident report easily. And if I disasemble it either really late at night, or around noon when they (should) be in school, they'd never know who did that either.
Just a little angry, and sad that poor Truck is injured. Dealing without transport sucks, and if there actually is significant damage, I'd be %@#$!ed.
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You need to take this to the cops. If the cops go and arrest a few of the kids for destruction of property, that will get their parents' attention. I know that it's really tempting to go after the kids themselves, but Trevor is right--don't. There are two reasons for this, IMHO
1. You lower yourself to their level. Not a smart move.
2. As my wise friend, Trevor, has already stated, you may end up facing legal action yourself, particularly if a kid or kids end up injured.
Take the high road and I think it will pay off a lot better than dealing with it vigilante style.
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You don't realize that I'm more than likely joking.
Though honestly there is no way they could trace it to me, if I did it right. And if they get hurt... maybe their parents should make sure their not playing in the street 24/7. (again, said mostly jokingly) Posts: 271 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Gee, try to be nice to a guy... OK, I admit it, my social circle is small!
Psycho: I think the thing that you need to keep in mind when considering actions that might cross the line is whether or not someone will be injured. This is especially true if you are 18 or over because the law is such that actions that you consider to be pranks can be prosecuted as assault or battery or both. People are real eager to sue and legally harrass others with great prejudice. If someone is hurt and they decide to press charges, it won't matter if you meant it as a prank or not.
Of course, I know that you were mostly just venting anyway.
Oh, and I agree with Trevor--mean pranks like that would lead to me being angry. Pranksters don't want to see me angry...
[ September 18, 2004, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: Jess N ]
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There is some speculation that there are wolverines in my family lineage somewhere.
Honestly, I'm not crazy about destructive, mean pranks.
I'd much rather post puns and be sarcastic online. Verbal barbs are easier to manage than attacks on property and individuals.
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), I happen to think we have excellent professional advice available at Hatrack as a first step in sorting through options. The cop made a report, right? And he saw the grindbox or whatever in a position where it was an obstacle to traffic? I'd get a copy of the police report and hit Dagonee up for advice about a civil case to recoup some damages.![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
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