Reimbursement and accountability. That\u2019s what a group of frustrated homeowners in Houston\u2019s Rice Military neighborhood is demanding after an 18-wheeler reportedly knocked down power lines on their street.<\/p>\n
Not only did it leave them in the dark for nearly a week but they were also on the hook for footing a nearly $20,000 repair bill. Residents say the truck, operated by a company identified as 6G Transport, struck low-hanging power lines on Detering Street, pulling down a power pole and causing extensive damage that left seven homes without electricity.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say that I am outraged would be an understatement,\u201d homeowner Dana Davis told KPRC 2 News<\/a>. \u201cWe were literally and physically in a position of being powerless.\u201d<\/p>\n Don’t miss<\/p>\n The group says they waited days without action from 6G Transport. With no power and Houston temperatures rising, they ended up hiring an electrician to restore electricity at a cost of nearly $20,000, which they say they had no choice but to pay out of pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cWith these unseasonably hot temperatures, we couldn\u2019t endure another day without electricity,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n More questions than answers<\/p>\n Davis told reporters that she reached out to the company multiple times and spoke directly with the owner, but was left with more questions than answers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wasn\u2019t sure if he was at fault,\u201d she said. \u201cHe even suggested that CenterPoint might be responsible because the lines were too low or that the city should have posted signage.\u201d<\/p>\n CenterPoint Energy, in a statement to KPRC 2, confirmed that it had responded to the outage on May 9, but the utility company said it was only responsible for its own infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cCenterPoint repaired the damage to its equipment, and once repairs were made to the customer-owned equipment, power was restored,\u201d the statement read. \u201cWhile we understand the frustration and burden placed on the customers as a result of this incident, CenterPoint is not responsible for damage to customer-owned equipment caused by a third party unrelated to CenterPoint\u2019s operations.\u201d<\/p>\n Davis has since hired attorney Derrell Wright, who told KPRC 2 reporters that 6G Transport\u2019s driver should have been more careful.<\/p>\n \u201cUsually, high-profile vehicles like that should use extreme caution, especially in areas with low-hanging trees and power lines,\u201d Wright said.<\/p>\n Wright confirmed that he\u2019s been in contact with the trucking company\u2019s insurance provider and had given them one week to respond before he would move forward with legal action.<\/p>\n KPRC 2 reported not having received a response to a request for comment from 6G Transport.<\/p>\n Read more: You don\u2019t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund<\/a>. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 \u2014 here\u2019s how<\/strong><\/p>\n Who should foot the bill?<\/p>\n The Houston homeowners are dealing with more than just power outages and repair costs. While the trucking company may be determined to bear responsibility, the situation is anything but straightforward.<\/p>\n Even if a company is found to be legally liable<\/a>, or accountable for financial loss, that doesn’t guarantee compensation \u2014 which can involve navigating insurance disputes and legal challenges.<\/p>\n Homeowners facing such situations should seek legal advice to make sure they understand their rights and options.<\/p>\n They should also make sure to review their home insurance policy. Standard home insurance<\/a> typically covers basic items, such as damage to the property and liability. Without additional coverage, homeowners may be left to pay out of pocket for repairs.<\/p>\n This situation highlights the importance of understanding insurance coverage \u2014 and the complexity of accountability.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n