Cost of Replacing Light Pole (DUI Collision)

Ljamess84 on 08/07/2019 - 20:25
Last edited 09/07/2019 - 12:35 by 1 other user

Hi all. I crashed my car into an Energex light pole and blew mid range. Car got written off, and I didn't claim it against my comprehensive insurance since they wouldn't cover it anyway. I know I messed up.

Received a letter last week from Energex to place the blame. I understand I will have to pay for the light pole since it got smashed up under my control, and neither my comp or QLD compulsary CTP will cover it. (Light pole only, not a stobie or power pole. Picture for reference

Does anyone know a ball park figure for the replacement of these poles? I have seen rough numbers online between $5k to $52k, which is a huge variance.

Automotive

Comments

  • funnysht on 10/07/2019 - 20:07
    +2

    I feel no sympathy for you, that pole could have been a young child. DUI drivers are selfish and don't care about anyone on the roads.
    Learn it as a lesson- but then again there is so much ads etc against drinking. so you're just an idiot.

    • picklewizard on 11/07/2019 - 14:23

      I don't get how this gets four upvotes yet everyone else who has admonished him is being negged.

      • geech on 12/07/2019 - 06:24
        +1

        Because they referenced a young child instead of a nondescript person. Think of the children!

    • spiff on 12/07/2019 - 14:41

      Phew luckily OP wasn't asking for sympathy

  • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2019 - 20:09
    +2

    We paid $18,650 for something similar in Melbourne.Not DUI. My wife had a seizure and lost control of her car. We did get refunded by the insurance company.

    I probably should add that that was the first time she had a seizure.

    • tcme on 11/07/2019 - 07:24
      +2

      Why not let them pay in the first place?

      • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 11:48
        +3

        According to an eyewitness, she went straight for the pole. Our insurance policy excludes suicide attempts. They only refunded us after my wife had brain scans and a proper diagnosis.

        • CVonC on 11/07/2019 - 16:22
          +2

          Scary stuff mate. I hope it's nothing serious.

          • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 16:26
            +11

            @CVonC: Thank you. It was scary at the time.They suspected a brain tumor but luckily they were wrong. She's been seizure-free for 3 years, completed a PhD , had a baby and is back to working full-time in a field that she loves. We couldn't be happier :)

            • funnysht on 11/07/2019 - 22:50

              @[Deactivated]: that's weird, how can insurance companies prove one way or the other

        • tcme on 11/07/2019 - 16:55
          +1

          But if she knew it was a seizure and could prove so medically, why risk paying upfront and then the insurer not coming to the party?

          • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 17:05
            +2

            @tcme: Honestly , I didn't care if they paid us back or not. I was more worried about my wife and trying to get her the medical attention that she needed. My dragonness of PA chased the insurance company and got the refund back.

            In restrospect, I don't even know how she convinced the insurance company that my wife had a seizure on that day. The EEG ruled out that my wife was epileptic. The other scans she had done were inconclusive, although her seizure activities were getting worse.

            • Other on 15/07/2019 - 17:16

              @[Deactivated]: You should give your pa a rise!

              Getting 5c out of an insurance company is cause for a celebration.

              • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2019 - 17:55

                @Other: She retired shortly after :( My new PA is a man, whilst very good at his job, lacks the tenacity of a pitbull that Daph had. They don't teach you that at law school.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2019 - 20:33
    +2

    Much cheaper than had you hit and killed a kid…That would've been jail time for you

  • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2019 - 21:08
    -2

    Sucked in m8

    • gimme on 10/07/2019 - 22:01
      +1

      seek help.. I really mean it.

      • funnysht on 11/07/2019 - 00:50
        +1

        why? the OP is the dumbshit idiot that risks lives. he's the one who needs help,

        • gimme on 11/07/2019 - 01:56
          +3

          How about the price of them eggs

  • xuqi on 10/07/2019 - 22:52
    +1

    Lucky OP isn't in Victoria:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9KqyHrHa-Q&list=PL4C0ACB984…

  • mousie on 11/07/2019 - 08:00

    Take pole dancing lessons

  • timbo83 on 11/07/2019 - 09:50
    +2

    Literally after reading this the first post.i see on whirlpool: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9j5yrnq3

    Small world…

  • sw00p on 11/07/2019 - 11:08
    +6

    Love all the comments lining up to stick the boot into OP.
    Clearly admitted fault, and is showing contrition. Yes, is a (profanity), but let’s not convince ourselves for one second that we’ve never made a mistake before.
    Classic ozbargain.

    • aussietivoman on 12/07/2019 - 08:44
      +5

      100% agree

      OP taking ownership for his errors.

      A lot of kickers here never posted a deal in their life and sitting on their high and mighty chairs passing judgement.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 11:18

    lolz at all the clowns defending him - if he had hit and killed your kid would you be welcoming him with open arms? OP I hope you get the highest possible bill and learn from this

    • sw00p on 11/07/2019 - 11:35
      +2

      I don’t know that anyone is “defending him” or “welcoming him with open arms”.

  • Roman Sandstorm on 11/07/2019 - 12:33
    +1

    I would think Energex/whoever would have their own proprty damage insurance to cover events like this. I cannot imagine that it would be possible to identify and ascribe specific blame to every incident of 'light pole damage'. In fact, I would be surprised if even a small percentage could be thus determined.

    If we re-imagine the scenario of the OP: He is not over the legal BAC limit. He drives badly at 3:00 am and crashes into light pole. He looks around, and scarpers. Next day Energex engineer looks at damage, sighs, and puts in paperwork. Some time later (hours, days, weeks), depending on how vital the light is, a repair crew come and fix. Just another claim.

    In this light (ha ha), I think the OP should perhaps take heed of some of the suggestions given here and seek professional legal advice. If the injured party could actually claim on their own insurance (at their discretion) rather than necessarily pursue the OP, perhaps some legal representative may be able to negotiate a less onerous result. It could be that Energex (or whoever the party who suffered the loss is) may think that taking the OP through a court process, perhaps leading to bankruptcy, but certainly costing significant dollars (without guarantee of full return), may not be a cost-effective solution. Hence, a settlement (and their own insurance claim) may be better for all involved.

    This is not legal advice. But there is more than just one way of skinning a cat. OP: Talk to a legal professional. It may be a small investment for a better return. (And isn't that why you, and we, are here at OzB?)

    • nikey2k27 on 11/07/2019 - 13:13

      State gov don't buy insurance if school burn down they pay for new one them self. Woolworth and Coles do same if shop get flood or burn down.

      • lostn on 11/07/2019 - 21:38
        +1

        Supermarkets do have insurance. I don't know how comprehensive though. But against losses to armed robbery, they are definitely covered for losses.

        It would be incredibly risky to not have any insurance whatsoever.

        • joungs on 12/07/2019 - 18:03
          +1

          If your organisation is big enough you can self insure

        • tcme on 12/07/2019 - 18:09

          Coles don't.

    • tcme on 12/07/2019 - 18:09
      +3

      You're joking, right? The insurer is for profit, they WILL pursue OP for the full cost.

    • HighAndDry on 16/07/2019 - 12:20

      If OP hit another car, that driver could still have insurance but OP would still have to pay - just the other driver's insurance instead of the other driver directly.

      Same deal here. Your comment is… wrong.

  • ruddiger7 on 11/07/2019 - 12:42

    I know a guy who did the same thing. He was up for about 50K, though it may have been one of those powerboxes and not a pole.

  • nikey2k27 on 11/07/2019 - 13:10

    2,500 ten years ago in day time depend on time of day 5,000 on cheaper to 25,000 if was at night time on sunday major road Do you own anything? I hear bankruptcy is quite good.

  • Lockieasy on 11/07/2019 - 14:55
    +2

    Actual footage of OP on that night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfnFkTrkE-U

  • No ONE on 11/07/2019 - 15:02

    DUI

    Driving under influence?

    • CVonC on 11/07/2019 - 16:23
      +1

      DUH

    • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 17:26

      Didn't use indicator, he cut the pole off :/

      Nah yeah, driving under influence - OP was drunk

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2019 - 17:26

    8-10k

    Seen a similar situation, though it was in a carpark and a smaller pole (maybe 4m high?). Cost the driver 3-4k from memory.

  • jeffr on 11/07/2019 - 22:14

    Current Qld cost is around $3000 ex gst for the pole including installation plus conduit, cable and connection.

  • McMoots on 12/07/2019 - 00:30
    +2

    The ironic thing is despite the fact you no longer have your car, and will be facing a large bill for the damage you've caused, assuming you consider your life worth living (which I sincerely hope you do), you are actually one of the lucky ones.

    The situation definitely sucks, but perhaps it will lead you down a different path which positively affects your future, even if it is many years away.

  • inherentchoice on 12/07/2019 - 10:48

    Recently saw an invoice from a private contractor to move (not replace) a small street light pole in a new residential street. $1,700 to move it 1 or 2 metres so the garbage truck can get through. Included new concrete foundations for it.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2019 - 11:21

    I smashed down a concrete lampost in my car when I first started driving, cost me 800 pounds. That was 30 years ago, nearly hit a policeman while doing so.
    Clean driving licence since 😀

  • drfuzzy on 12/07/2019 - 11:40
    -1

    You should be focusing on the things you can control (how to maximise your income with a better job and how to ensure these events don't recur) rather than focusing on things you can't control (the cost of the light pole).

  • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2019 - 12:36

    At least your insurance premiums wont go up!

    • swimmingtoad on 15/07/2019 - 13:26

      Pretty sure a conviction for DUI will impact his premiums regardless.

  • josepet on 12/07/2019 - 19:00
    +1

    I will be cheap. Considering you could have killed someone or even yourself. Man up. Pay. Don't drink & drive again.

    (-:

  • chumlee on 13/07/2019 - 19:22
    +1

    Knock a similar light pole down just near this one you damagec & drag it over with a note for energex that you have replaced the broken one now

  • crashloaded on 18/07/2019 - 10:30

    Place the blame on energex for putting the light pole in your drift path.

  • pegasusx on 19/01/2021 - 12:49

    OP Any updates on this? Interested what the final cost was

    • spaij on 19/01/2021 - 22:26

      I think perhaps you are 1.5 years too late…

      • pegasusx on 20/01/2021 - 00:16

        Considering how our infrastructure is so slow. I think they might have just sent out the bill.. :)

  • Twilight on 20/01/2021 - 16:46
    +5

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/3kkxw4y3#r65878903

    "Hi all, final cost of the pole came to $13k."

    • pegasusx on 20/01/2021 - 17:17

      Wow cross platform messaging :D

      • Euphemistic on 20/01/2021 - 18:49

        Something from the twilight zone

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