There is a good chance the developer would be liable. Their liability would be based on negligence, or being unreasonably careless. It is unreasonably careless to hang a chain across a diveway or access road--particularly one which would seem to foreseeably be used by people not familar with the area but who are attacted by the large signs the developer itself put up for lots. You should be able to recover your out of pocket (e.g. deductible costs) from the developer; if they don't pay voluntarily, you'd have to sue them, but may be able to sue in sjmall claims court to minimize your costs. Good luck.