What to do when you hit a power pole?
Asked by: Ramona Raynor | Last update: April 11, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (58 votes)
- Check for injuries. Take a breath and remain calm while checking for injuries to yourself or your passengers.
- Move your vehicle out of the way. ...
- Call the police. ...
- Document the crash. ...
- Contact your insurance company.
What to do if you hit a power pole?
Stay in the car if you are in a car accident with a power pole. Warn those who try to come near your car to help that they must stay far away. Call 911 for help, and wait until a professional from the electric utility tells you it is safe to leave the car. The exception to this rule is if your car is on fire.
What to do if you hit a powerline?
Call 911 and your electric cooperative for help and warn anyone nearby not to approach your equipment. Only exit the machinery after you are told by utility representatives that it is safe to do so. Exiting equipment that has contacted energized power lines can cause electrocution.
Do you have to call the police if you hit a pole?
Under California Vehicle Code 20002 VC, you must notify police if an accident caused major property damage, such as: Damaging another vehicle to the extent that it is inoperable and needs towing. Taking out a fire hydrant, telephone pole, or street sign.
How much does it cost if you hit a power pole?
Vehicles hit poles approximately 2,500 times per year, and the cost of replacement ranges from $7,500 for a street light to $100,000 for a transmission pole.
What to do if your car hits a power pole.
Should I call my insurance if I hit a pole?
If you have collision insurance and you hit a pole, the first thing you want to do is call your insurance agent or your insurance company and file a claim. They'll open a claim, investigate the accident, and determine whether they'll cover the incident.
Who is responsible for the power pole in my yard?
Because the private utility pole is on the homeowner's property, the homeowner is responsible for taking care of repairing or replacing the pole. Your utility company is NOT responsible for private utility poles, and will tell you that you need to hire someone to repair or replace it.
How much does insurance go up after hitting a pole?
A few states, including Oklahoma and California, don't allow insurers to increase your rates if a crash was not your fault.
Will my insurance go up if I hit an object?
Insurance companies consider hitting an object in the road to be an accident. Unfortunately, that means you will need to use your collision coverage, the incident will be considered your fault, and you'll likely see an increase in premium.
Do you have to pay if you hit a telephone pole?
In California the liability follows the car first and then the driver. So if I'm driving your car and I hit a utility pole, then your car insurance will pay first. If for some reason your insurance is insufficient then my car Insurance will finish paying the claim.
How much to repair a power line?
The cost to replace an electrical service line ranges from $225 to $500, with an average cost of $250. Your final cost will depend on the type of wire you use and the length of wire needed.
How to tell if a power line is live?
There's no way to tell if a power line is live from just looking at it. Even if the power line isn't actively sparking, always assume that it's carrying electricity. When you see a downed power line, make sure that you don't touch the utility pole or any objects touching the wire.
What to do when you hit a powerline?
Stay in your car.
If you're in the vehicle you're safe, but if you get out, you could be electrocuted. If you can, warn others to stay away from the vehicle and call the local authorities or nearest electric utility so power can be cut to the lines.
What happens if you accidentally hit a pole?
If you hit any type of pole, you may have to pay for the damage to your vehicle, the pole, and any other property damaged in the accident, and any tickets you receive. If you have collision coverage, your insurance should pay to repair or replace your vehicle.
How much does it cost to replace a broken power pole?
Utility pole installation costs $1,200 to $5,600. A utility pole is also called a power pole, electric pole, or telephone pole. A meter pole costs $500 to $2,200 installed. Electrical meter poles are smaller poles that connect service lines to a breaker box in a house or mobile home.
Will insurance cover backing into a pole?
If your vehicle insurance policy has collision coverage, you can file a claim if you hit with a pole. This type of insurance is often optional, so you must make the decision to add it when you buy or renew your policy.
How long do accidents stay on your record?
In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.
Can I file an insurance claim if I hit something?
Hitting an Object Lying in the Road
To make a collision claim, you need to have opted for collision coverage before experiencing your accident. Collision coverage is optional, and if you opted for state-minimum coverage, you might not have collision coverage. Expect to pay a deductible when filing a collision claim.
Do I need a police report if I hit a pole?
Generally, if you hit a pole with your car and drive off, it can be considered a hit-and-run, which is illegal. This is even if you hit a pole located in a parking lot. Instead of fleeing the scene, you should report the damage to the police or authorities immediately.
Is hitting a pole an at-fault accident on Reddit?
It's an at-fault collision claim, so probably will increase your premiums, unless you have some sort of accident forgiveness.
Will my insurance increase after a claim?
How much does car insurance increase after a claim? Although the amount will depend on who's to blame, the severity of the accident, and your own driving record, you should expect your car insurance to increase by about 20-50% after making a claim.
Who pays for power line from pole to house?
Your utility company is usually responsible for the wires connecting your home to the pole. Homeowners are responsible for almost all other electrical components.
Who owns electrical poles?
Utility poles may have several owners on a joint pole, including electric, telephone, and cable providers. The City does not regulate who can or cannot attach to these poles. All wiring serving the small cell antennas and electric meters are owned and maintained by the wireless service provider.
Can I put a light on a utility pole?
NO. For safety reasons, please do not attach anything to power poles. Nails and staples can increase injury among utility workers, especially since line crews climb power poles.