Is my neighbor responsible for fixing my fence if they damaged it during a snowstorm?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is my neighbor responsible for fixing my fence if they damaged it during a snowstorm?

My neighbor was trying to get out of their driveway during a snow storm. They slid off into my yard and while trying to get the car unstuck it went backwards into my fence bending the corner post. I have pictures and want to know what I need to do to get my fence fixed?

Asked on January 21, 2011 under Accident Law, Kentucky

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

You can contact the neighbor's auto insurance carrier and file a claim for property damage.  You will need to mitigate (minimize) damages (cost of repairs) by using a repair shop for the fence whose charges are comparable to other fence repair shops in your area.  If you select the most expensive repair shop, your damages will be reduced accordingly.

If you are unable to resolve the matter with the neighbor's insurance carrier, you could file a lawsuit for negligence against the neighbor.  You will need to file your lawsuit prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.

Depending on the amount of damage to the fence, you may be able to file the lawsuit in Small Claims Court.  Your damages (the amount you are seeking to recover in the lawsuit) should include the cost of repairs to the fence plus court costs.  Court costs would include the court filing fee and process server fee.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption