So, what did you do today?

[gt40]

Yeah, we have discussed after the last one and this one about putting in a large pipe to anchor the thing, but were advised both times that if someone hits it and dies/gets hurt then we can be sued.

I wonder if this is true or an urban legend. Businesses use bollards all the time for protection against vehicles:



And I see folks incorporate boulders in their landscaping all the time to do the same thing:



These are being used to prevent parking on private property along a public road.

[MikeP99Z]

Build a ramp on the sidewalk, and they'll clear the mailbox completely - like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFXW...eature=related

[Thinkkker]

The problem is, you have had it hit before. If you did something now it may look bad.

Though if you happen to work in the oil field or had a friend with some stout pipe laying around and you just put it in to save cash you could get by with that. You would have to have a good lawyer for it to work though I am sure.

[Fbody383]

Slippery slope. Have to be careful that you don't build something that has the intent to cause damage as thats illegal.

Yeah, we have discussed after the last one and this one about putting in a large pipe to anchor the thing, but were advised both times that if someone hits it and dies/gets hurt then we can be sued.

So you're going to cut down the trees before they get too big?

Next car is lowered and the contractor uses an epoxy based mortar and the entire mailbox comes through the windshield?

They hit the V and submarine under it?

They hit the house and it collapses on them?

They spear the corner of the trailer with the race car sitting on it?

They stop to take a leak and get struck by lightning?

Not picking on you but curious why everyone is nervous about building a mailbox to better withstand a vehicle strike when multiple risks already exist for someone breaking the law.

Not an attorney but I've had to talk to too many of them.

[Mrs. Crumpacker]

We have actually asked the same questions, and we were told that because the mailbox has already been taken out, modifying it's structure in that way could open up the possibility for a lawsuit. Can someone hit the trees head on, die, and the family sues us? Sure, but we have a better shot at winning then if they hit the mailbox with extra reinforcements, die, and sue us. This is just what we have been told by several different parties.

We can get sued for anything b/c someone hurts themselves on our property. Just like the dumb cable guy who jumped our fence and got bit by our dog. We told him to let us know when he needed back there and we would bring the animals in, but he didn't listen. He could have sued us b/c he was an idiot, but luckily for us he realized his stupidity and didn't...

[Jeremy Gunter]

Would a tire wall around the mailbox work? you could plant flowers in them like they do at Hallett, and when the idiot takes you to court just claim you have a thing for racing... and flowers...

[mitchntx]

A chicane prior to turn in might help.

[GlennCMC70]

The main difference "I think" is the obvious danger vs hidden danger. Hitting a brick mailbox is as dangerous as it appears on paper, the game changes once you hide a steel pipe inside it - something not normally found in the center of a brick mailbox. Also you should consider the person who is not at fault for the loss of control of the car they are driving and is knocked into the hidden pole.

Sam has it right, dont do it. But, why not take out a large insurance policy on the box. :wink:

[marshall_mosty]

...changes once you hide a steel pipe inside it - something not normally found in the center of a brick mailbox...

Who's to say that it isn't standard? Reinforced concrete and cinder blocks are used all the time. Why not reinforced brick??? Just my .02.

[David Love AI27]

the obvious danger vs hidden danger.

Kinda like gridding next to Al or Glenn and having a good look at their cars...