Jan 19, 2025
At 2 a.m. in mid-November 2021, 60-year-old John Gall of Cleveland Heights, Ohio was sleeping soundly on his couch. Suddenly, a GMC Yukon smashed through the walls of his house, sending insulation and debris flying.
“Suddenly, the whole house explodes on both sides. Everything was just vaporized,” Gall told a Scene reporter in December of 2024. “Insulation was flying in the air. Mud all over. A ton of noise. There was a car in the kitchen — that’s how I woke up."
Advertisement
And it's not the first time his home has been hit by a car. After three crashes and four different mayors, Gall is tired of what he sees as the city's failure to fix the issue.
So, he's taking matters into his own hands. ABC 5 Cleveland shows his yard now filled with handpainted signs aimed at the city, with phrases including "Speed bump? Seriously? WTF?,” "A promise not kept is a lie" and "Hey! Mayor Seren! Why?"
The city told ABC 5 it has taken measures to protect Gall's home. A speed table has been installed, temporary boulders sit on his lawn and a flashing sign now warns drivers of the upcoming T-bone intersection. But Gall insists it's not enough.
What’s causing these accidents?
Gall purchased the home in 1996 and has had three cars crash into his home within the last 10 years.
According to Gall, the first accident occurred around 2012 and destroyed his pickup truck, which was parked in his front yard. The accident with the GMC Yukon in 2021 involved a police chase that sent a car careening into Gall's kitchen. In 2022, another crash took out his garage. The most recent crash, in 2023, landed on his lawn, just missing his home.
The issue, according to Gall, is that a guardrail was removed from his yard in 2005, and he wants it replaced. However, Cleveland Heights Mayor Khalil Seren and the Ohio Department of Transportation say that's not possible.
"The Ohio Department of Transportation guidelines that we adhere to will not allow a guardrail in that location because of the danger to eastbound motorists on Fairmount. There's an impalement risk. There is simply not enough room in that location to provide the impact attenuators that a guardrail would require. Not only that, but a guardrail is not intended to or designed to stop a head-on collision. Period," Seren told ABC 5.
Advertisement
For Gall, the issue isn't just the crashes. It's the fact that his homeowner's insurance rates have skyrocketed due to the accidents.
“I can't get homeowners insurance. I currently have insurance, but they jacked the rates, and if I have one more claim, I'm being dropped,” Gall told ABC 5 reporter Nadeen Abusada. “I pursued other insurance companies. Nobody will touch me.”
The city did offer to buy his home, but Gall says it's not enough for him to purchase a similar home in today's market.
"I don't have a mortgage. The house is paid off. What can I buy where I won't have to pay that's comparable to where I'm currently living,” said Gall.
The signs Gall installed in his yard have helped draw attention to the issue and have become a local talking point. Posts on Instagram and Facebook have thousands of likes and comments from residents discussing the issue.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
- Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
What can you do if you face a similar issue?
If you're facing persistent safety issues like Gall, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your property.
Advertisement
Reaching out to your local department of transportation, county commissioners or mayor should be your first step. If that fails, consider these options.
Escalate your issue
Escalating the problem to higher authorities, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may prompt a review of local traffic policies and drive action that is outside of the city's reach.
Find local advocacy groups
Partnering with advocacy groups focused on road safety or urban planning may also provide valuable expertise and support. For example, in Cleveland Heights, the Safe Streets 4 Cleveland Heights organization might be able to offer assistance.
These organizations may help you identify actionable solutions, connect with decision-makers or highlight your case through public campaigns.
Work with your insurance company
If rising insurance costs are part of the problem, reach out to your insurance company. They have a vested interest in preventing damage to your home and may be willing to help.
Some insurers may suggest ways to mitigate your risk, which you can use to bolster your requests to the city. It's also worth shopping around with other insurers that may have different underwriting policies.
Reach out to your state's insurance commissioner
Many states have departments dedicated to assisting consumers with insurance issues, including mediating disputes and providing resources to find alternative coverage.
Filing a formal complaint with your local insurance commission can bring attention to your issue and prompt broader action.
If all else fails, consider reaching out to local news stations and finding legal representations to help you navigate this situation. That may be what finally allows Gall to find relief.
He recently hired a lawyer, Marlon Primes, and says Cleveland Heights may install bollards in place of the boulders that currently sit on his property.
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she’s getting slammed for it. Which option would you pick?
- Warren Buffett used these 8 repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
