Well it finally happened to me today...

[landscaper22]

I was mowing a long strip of grass along a fence at a property today, about 15-20 ft. off the road, when I hit an object that I never saw. Well...as luck would have it, a car was passing by on the road at that very moment, and I had to hit it. I have been in the biz for about 6 1/2 years (maybe more), and this is the first time I have damaged anything. Well maybe a few sprinkler heads, but nothing like this.
I was expecting to see a ding when I approached the car, but was stunned to see a hole about the size of a silver dollar. It is a good thing it didn't completely through the car and hit someone. I have no idea what I hit, it may have been a rock, but it sounded almost like metal when it hit my blade. I never even saw it discharge out of the deck. But I sure heard it. I am always very careful, but I can't escape Murphy's Law forever.
Just a reminder....Carry liability insurance. I have mine, and this is the first time I have used it. But, it could have been a hole in someone's head instead of a car. I will try to post a pic of the hole later. The Ins agent acted as if it was no problem and that they would take care of everything for me. We will see how easy the process is. There goes my rates though.:cry:

[DLAWNS]

That sucks, man. At least no one was hurt. I don't think it should jack up your rates too much.

[B&D Lawn Care]

Damn hate to hear that. Where are you in SC?

[4.3mudder]

That happened to me once. I was mowing a small island in front of a parts store. And I hit something, but I didn't see anything in front while I was mowing. luck, hit a malibu that was passing by. She went and talked to the owner of the auto parts store, the parts store is not a chain just one place deal. Well, she came outside and talked to me, gave her the info and all, never heard a peep from her. It was a very small ding at the bototm of her rocker panel. Then the owner of the parts store, which happens to be my uncle, gave me hell outside. I don't know why though, accidents happen. So, I know how you feel. Sorry bout that.

The funny thing about these senarios, how do you know you really hit a vehicle passing by if you are not watching them as they pass by. I mean that car, that the lady said I hit, could have just been driving by and think, hey I need to some quick cash from insurance or what not. Yall know what I mean. How do you really know if people are telling the truth and are honest?

[philslc]

Sorry to hear about that. Hopefully everything will go smooth with the insurance company and they won't be too hard on you as far as a rate increase. Just be thankful no one was hurt.

[landscaper22]

B&D, I am just across the river from Augusta, GA. And 4.3mudder, I am sure I hit it. Eventhough I never actually saw an object, I heard it. And they pulled over as soon as it happened, so I didn't doubt it. But it is possible for people to pull a stunt like that.
The more I think about it, I wonder if a part from the mower came off and hit it. Because, I swear I never saw anything. Only thing is I don't know of any object that could have fallen off under the deck. I will glance at it tomorrow and see. I would actually feel better if that is what happened. Then I know it was some freak accident rather than me just not seeing something and hitting it.

[Fleur De Lawn]

I was weedeating a ditch, and a guy pulled over saying i threw a rock into his windshield. I looked at his windshield and it was cracked from top to bottom and left to right. I told him he was full of ****. He tried to argue with me, and I was like I did not do all that. He eventually said you see this little chip in the corner that is what you did and finally was like I just wanted you to be careful.

[LB1234]

this fall our push blower wound up sideways on top of an inground pool cover (the ones you can stand on). Burned a hole right through it and gas spilled all over the place. Insurance took care of it. I didn't pay a dime. I'm sure I'll be charged in this upcoming years premiums.

[landscaper22]

Well, I was going to put up a photo, but I can't seem to figure it out.

[B&D Lawn Care]

You gotta post it on photobucket then you can upload it here

[Tommy Boy]

A good friend of mine was struck in the eye from a mower projectile took out the eye and broke the socket. He was driving by, window was open. He was a Army SGM happened on post, he got retirment and a nice settlement from the contractor and the Army. Just a reminder that we work in a dangours industry. Safety starts with YOU!

If I drive by and catch a crew member working without eye protection, first offense in 12 months is a warning, second offense he goes home for the day, third he is fired. I take this serrious. NO ONE GETS HURT ON MY JOBS! Thats the standard!

[nosparkplugs]

I was mowing a long strip of grass along a fence at a property today, about 15-20 ft. off the road, when I hit an object that I never saw. Well...as luck would have it, a car was passing by on the road at that very moment, and I had to hit it. I have been in the biz for about 6 1/2 years (maybe more), and this is the first time I have damaged anything. Well maybe a few sprinkler heads, but nothing like this.
I was expecting to see a ding when I approached the car, but was stunned to see a hole about the size of a silver dollar. It is a good thing it didn't completely through the car and hit someone. I have no idea what I hit, it may have been a rock, but it sounded almost like metal when it hit my blade. I never even saw it discharge out of the deck. But I sure heard it. I am always very careful, but I can't escape Murphy's Law forever.
Just a reminder....Carry liability insurance. I have mine, and this is the first time I have used it. But, it could have been a hole in someone's head instead of a car. I will try to post a pic of the hole later. The Ins agent acted as if it was no problem and that they would take care of everything for me. We will see how easy the process is. There goes my rates though.:cry:

Parts of the risk in the industry no matter how careful we are it WILL happen
The damage comes in three's, I was like you went 5 years without any trouble and then out of no where Murphy's Law. Your insurance rates will not get raised. These damages are "chump" change for most insurance companies. The last car window we broke I paid out of pocket, your very lucky you did not hit a person thats were the $$$$ is at with claims

[landscaper22]

This is a picture...if it works

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss358/buckethead75/carphoto.jpg

[landscaper22]

I know I am very lucky. If that door had been a head, I would have to deal with the fact that I killed someone. I will pay higher insurance premiums all day long, knowing that I only damaged a door and not a person. I am counting my blessings.

[osr001]

I know I am very lucky. If that door had been a head, I would have to deal with the fact that I killed someone. I will pay higher insurance premiums all day long, knowing that I only damaged a door and not a person. I am counting my blessings.

Thank God! Nobody hurt. For me it was a horseshoe left by the Amish no doubt. No damage but scary!! Insurance is another tool you never leave home without!

[DLAWNS]

Wow, what a hole....I'm glad that's all that happened.