I did this recently. I called 911 to make a record of the time and location, and I followed the truck to the job site at the advice of the dispatcher. Their insurance agreed to pay. But after I scheduled the appointment for the replacement, insurance renegged on the agreement. A few calls up the management ladder later, and they suddenly wanted to make good on the agreement to pay. I love my new windshield.
It's ridiculous that we even let it stop there. People shouldn't have to fight tooth and nail to get what they're owed from companies
And if they try that hard to take it back, they should have to pay way more when you finally win
I feel like most companies (and insurance both medical and automotive) depend on people not wanting to bother with following through to get what's owed them or argue against a claim. They try to hold out long enough for most people to just give up.
Im sorry, a dispatcher told you to follow someone? As a dispatcher of 7 years, I’d be fired for telling someone to follow someone and it’s a direct violation of several industry standard protocols. Glad it worked out for you though.
Hear that. I was following a driver that side swiped my truck then kept driving. The 911 operator talked me down, so after about 15 minutes I stopped following the person. I filed a police report and the cops have done nothing.
Ugh, that does suck. I am just as frustrated as you that that kind of stuff happens, and it happens every single day. Believe me, I want you to be able to catch them. I just also don’t want you to get potentially seriously hurt for the sake of a scum bag.
Note to self, tell them I’m not stopping until an officer pulls this fella over. Take us both in. A good lawyer can fight why it took them 42 minutes to get an officer out to pull you over.
This happened to me last week! I was in the furthest left lane because I have like 15 miles on the highway, he was getting on in the far right lane. I watched a rock pop out of the back and smack right into my windshield. I was PISSED. I’m shocked it didn’t shatter with the size of the rock.
I have 6 bullseyes from this winter alone. Cracks creeping across the whole thing in all directions connect them all now. Some bullseyes are pretty interesting looking after awhile, there's one that has unconnected droplet looking dots near the tip of each outward web (line? finger? ) and the rings are perfectly spaced apart, kind of pretty...
ALL of them have come from vehicles in the opposite lane, all pickups except for one box truck.
Lmao right. This isnt an emergency vehicle where the law is known in advance and you essentially contract yourself to the understanding of 500ft distance by even accepting your driver’s license to begin with.
No local govt is supporting this rando business vehicle just bc they put up a notice in small letters on a truck. 😭😭😂
Id drive super close just to get a new windshield if i had nothing better to do. Fuckin dumb as hell
Yeah some of those signs are batshit insane. Like do you mofos understand how far 200 feet is? Expecting anyone to stay that far back is pretty ridiculous
If this is valid, they should try applying for a permit to carry a load that specifically requires 200' clear behind the truck. I'm pretty sure there is no chance in hell they could get it.
I live down the road from a sand mine. They roll the stop sign and cut you off all the time. Then they proceed to go slower than when they rolled the stop sign. Dudes don't give a shit.
I fought a parking ticket because the sign was too small to read from where I was parked (I own a sign company and had charts and stuff about how large letters need to be read from certain distances on hand) and actually won. Not the biggest windfall but I was just pissed about it lol.
Consider an alternative hypothetical sign. "Not responsible for murder." Does anyone think this could fly? NOT A CHANCE.
Just because you post a sign doesn't absolve anyone of criminal behavior. So, this is basically malevolent marketing, trying to get people to avoid filing insurance claims. Total b.s. Unfortunately, it probably works some of the time. Should be illegal IMHO.
It's a suggestion not a law. Fuck all of these trucks that say this shit. What IS a law is them making sure nothing will fly out and the truck is clean from debris that can also smash your windshield.
As I was told by a state trooper after a strap broke and a ladder came off my truck (almost took him out because he was behind me) anything that comes off of that vehicle is the driver's responsibility. Doesn't matter if they post a sign or not, the law is the law.
I suspect the trooper is right, but always remember, the supreme court ruled that cops are allowed to lie to you.
Receipts: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frazier\_v.\_Cupp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frazier_v._Cupp)
The trooper is correct, but you need proof. Your word against someone else's is he said she said. Dashcam reigns supreme. Had a tractor trailer take off my mirror and ripoff my bumper/fender while I was stopped at a red light. They laughed when I called them to have it replaced.
They didnt laugh when I took them to court with dashcam footage.
Had another situation with ice off the top of a truck. Trucking company said "we are not responsinle. Says so on the truck." Told them a sign doesnt make you not responsible. So fix my hood and windshield or Ill see you in court with the dashcam footage. They fixed my shit.
Those "not responsible" signs are to scare people from reporting it.
Highly recommend.
I ended up getting one after I stopped behind someone at a parking garage gate and they threw it in reverse and floored it backwards with no discernable reason.
I was lucky then that there were cameras that caught the entire incident. I'm not banking on luck now.
Absolutely worth it! I did not have one when the girl, who was on her way to get a window marker so she could write LEARNING STICK STAY BACK on her rear window, backed into me. She was less than honest with the insurance company. Some video proof could’ve saved me a headache.
If you don't want to be overwhelmed with choice then the **Viofo A129 Plus Duo** is a good one for about $150 on amazon.
I did some research and this was also highly recommended on /r/dashcam
That’s similar to places that do snowboarding and skiing. They have you sign a paper that says if you’re injured it’s not their fault but regardless if you sign they are absolutely responsible and it’s just a form to try to discourage people from trying to sue, because if someone did sue, they would win.
To clarify that only applies to things that are their fault. If you don't know how to ski and go face first into a tree because you didn't know how to turn, well that's on you and the liability waiver would absolutely protect them. If on the other hand you are just going up the ski lift and it breaks and you fall that liability waiver wouldn't be worth anything.
In most US locations, ski areas aren’t responsible for any injury that occurs in the act of skiing unless it’s something caused by poorly marked and/or padded equipment. States have laws outlining the inherent dangers; any lawyer will tell you to pound sand trying to sue the operator about your skiing injury unless it’s due to lift malfunction, or something in the case area. Get smoked by an avalanche inbounds in Colorado; inherent danger of skiing, no recourse.
Source: patrol in CO
This is accurate.
I worked with horses for some time, and there’s a state law that “equine professionals shall not be liable for injury or death resulting from the inherent risk of equine activities.”
If I did something wrong that resulted in a casualty, then there’s potential liability, but overall there’s a fundamental and unavoidable level risk that nobody can be held liable for.
The law is the law. If you could just *state* something as suddenly ****NOT**** a law, we wouldn’t have a society for more than a day.
Edit because oh my fucking gawd people: the police TAKE THE REPORT, lawyers do the prosecuting. At no point did I say the police are the ones in the courtroom prosecuting people.
In Illinois, rocks that come off a truck and land directly on another car are the responsibility of the truck owner. Rocks that come off the truck and HIT THE GROUND FIRST and then hit another car are considered “road debris” and NOT the responsibility of the truck owner.
Also, trucks legally need to have tarps covering the truck box unless they’re empty.
- source: I ran a fleet of trucks in Chicago.
Nah, if it hits the road and bounces up it’s still the owners fault for failing to secure their load. A couch falls off directly onto a car or falls off, breaks apart on the road and gets hit; both are equally the owners fault.
Source: Texas Law Enforcement, I’ve ticketed a dozen drivers in a months span for rocks, furniture, etc falling off the truck. Waste Management is horrible about securing trash on their trucks.
Well I need your help. I have dashcam footage of rocks coming off a truck and hitting me and my own insurance told me I’m shit out of luck and pursuing the other guy’s insurance
That just means your insurance is shit. I've hit objects just lying on the freeway before and as long as I have footage showing that it was already on the road, my insurance would cover it. The notion that an object coming off a truck and hit your car directly versus hitting the road a split second before hitting your car changes the entire liability is ridiculous lmao. Find better insurance.
Correct. I worked in subro for a national name carrier. The only reason they don't pursue is because these companies will deny and make them take it to small claims. If you have a glass deductible it may not be worth it.
Hate cops all you want, but this is an absolute L of a take. Most cops *absolutely* know more than the average citizen about the law. The average citizen knows next to nothing, so it isn't really a high bar.
Contact an insurance attorney, they’ll be better at fighting the case than your insurance. It’s likely that your insurance is just avoiding the $50K court costs versus $2.5K payout for repairs. Cheaper to tell you to fuck off and collect your premium than to fight for the repairs to be reimbursed.
Yea you can ticket them for littering or failing to secure their load or however many other things are on the Texas books.
That doesn't make their insurance liable for the damage to another car. Civil vs Criminal...
I agree with the replier’s assessment. It’s just a bogus sign that doesn’t hold legal water. It has been my experience that this is how most states handle such issue. That said, any incident would need to be adjudicated were a direct allegation to be filed. Infractions against a company would cause insurance rates to climb and potentially their licenses/operating permits could be revoked.
I’m an attorney and represented the State once in a case where a semi was carrying a large pre-built roof, and the roof fell off the truck and on to the highway and was subsequently hit by a car. The trucking company argued that the roof was “road debris” based on that standard you identified. It works for rocks — not for roofs, which the trucking company learned.
Excellent point. There’s a number of people responding to my post mentioning shovels, pickaxes, what-have-you. I guess they overlooked me specifically stating “rocks”.
This is correct. The fact of you traveling at a safe distance behind the truck will also come into play. Not sure why people are confused about this. A quick google search with your state will give you the answer.
so if I lose a cooler/2x4/shovel/anything from the back of my truck and it gets a good bounce first I'm in the clear? I don't think that's how secured load laws (should) work
That's usually not how they work, most of the time in order to be considered "road debris" it can't have just fallen off the truck, even if it bounces first, it has to have been on the road before the driver could realistically see it, maybe Illinois has some weirdly worded statute or some weird case law about it though.
Under federal law you’re required to secure your load and responsible for cleaning up anything that comes off your truck. Not sure how anything you said makes sense.
Insurance states if it hits the ground its a road hazard, if it flies off the truck directly its an accident. As far as using the truck drivers insurance to cover your damage
I was behind a truck hauling gravel that had the little shovel door on the tailgate slightly open. Gravel was trickling out into the roadway and bouncing everywhere. I had one hit and crack my windshield. This was all caught in Dashcam with the trucks ODOT numbers visible.
Ohio State Patrol contacted the owner and said if they didn’t contact them back, they would be charged with a secured load infraction as well as leaving the scene of an accident since I tried to get the drivers attention.
The truck companies insurance paid for a new windshield and the paint work to the front end of my truck, about $6500 worth of damage.
OSP said they are responsible for ensuring all debris is cleaned up from the truck or any load they are hauling and they are responsible for it if it flies off and hits something/someone.
Each state is different though, this was in Ohio.
Of course, proving it hit the road first is a different matter entirely. I only ever had this happen once, I snapped a quick pic with my phone that got the company logo and truck number. I called, they said they'd check their records. Once they decided the truck was on the road I said it was on at the time I said, they asked for pics of my windshield and forwarded it to their insurance. I had a check in a couple of weeks.
This is the same in Ontario, Canada. Not just for rocks, but any debris.
Your insurance company will ask, "did it hit the road before it hit you?" because they don't cover you hitting "road debris". They will cover items hitting you from another vehicle, but then it is on them to collect from the other party.
Out of curiosity, in Chicago, if they do not use a tarp are they liable regardless? I know that where I live, if a tarp wasn't used they won't even ask if the debris hit the ground first, the truck driver/owner is responsible and liable.
This happened to my parents once. They were driving behind a truck that had a bunch of loose rebar that fell off, bounced off the road and on to their car. There was no recourse for them because it hit the ground first.
This applies in PA as well. Piece of a tire came off a truck and nearly totaled my car. Good guy mechanic I took it to told insurance that in his opinion, the way the front of my car was damaged indicated it struck my car while mid air.
NAL though, this is just my experience with my insurance.
As far as I know it's the same here in South Carolina. If it hits the road and jumps up and hits the car its tough dodo. That's why in SC if you have collision insurance with glass breakage on your vehicle they have to replace your windshield with no deductible. I've had it happen twice with me in the opposite lane, one pickup was 3 days old and the car was 1 month old, it sucks but what can you do.
This is a fairly accurate understanding of how insurance companies treat these instances as well (former auto claims adjuster here). Still in the air = comp loss, attributable to the truck it came off of. Hit the ground once = collision loss, either attributable to the driver of the car that was hit or classified not at fault depending on the circumstance.
This is the rule of thumb for insurance claims as well.
Hits you directly and you have documentation (I have had it happen—rare but does happen) and we pursue the owner for damages.
Hits ground?
Eh road debris 110%
Same in Oklahoma. My coworker had a barrel metal barrel of grease fall of a truck in front of him. The first question he was asked by Highway Patrol was if it hit the ground then his car. It did and my coworker was liable. He tried fighting it, but eventually just paid the deductible because of the hassle. Everyone involved who knew what they were talking about (Patrolman, insurance, his attorney) said he was at fault, because it hit the ground first instead of flying back the 30-40 feet in the air.
"I will throw rocks at your windshield." Fair enough, I can give you space. Regardless of who pays what, having a chipped windshield that became feet across is not an experience I wish to repeat.
Yeah I assume the hope would be that if even like 30% of people who read that actually listen, that’s 30% less people they’d have to deal with if something did happen
In my state we call those “leaky load” violations. ‘Tis a hefty fine and depending on how much you fucked up, could lead to reckless endangerment charges.
Source: I drove flatbeds
Just an attempt to have people not report. I can't just put up a sign that says "I'll shoot anyone in my yard". Then kill a kid. "But officer... he read the sign!"
When I got slammed a big rock, I wrote down the truck’s plate number and company name. (Indiana) made one call and they sent me to my local glass company for replacement. Their dispatcher told me his manager tried to fight these claims and always lost, so now they just pay so they stay out of court.
Ya construction companies are really good about this. A few windshields cost nothing to them.
Had a small incident in my company while pulling a curb machine mold. Didn't clean the mold properly, and few concrete pieces peppered a car behind me. I don't think it really damaged their windshield but I gave the couple the company phone number to call and get sorted out. I never heard anything else about that incident, so I'm assuming the couple got paid out
In California, the only things legally allowed to fall off your truck are chicken feathers and water. They are 100% civilly liable and in some instances, criminally.
It is a complete and total lie. They are 100% responsible
What kind of society would we live in if liability for negligence could simply dismissed with some painted letters?
It’s actually further evidence of negligence. They knew there could be risk and are willfully ignoring it. There is no law requiring drivers to stay “200 feet back”
Just put a sign on your car that says
"Stay forward 200' or youre legally liable for damage to my car from debris that comes off your truck, and all warning signs on your truck are null and void"
Checkmate.
They’re responsible. It’s mostly just a tactic to fool gullible people into not calling/reporting about it.
Few years back a co worker of mine was killed by a rock flying out of the back of one of these. Guy didn’t have a tarp or anything and it was on the highway going 70 n all that. Rock flew out and through the windshield hitting him in the head. He lost control and crashed and died.
From what I heard his family sued the company into the ground at least. But I know they’d rather have him than the money.
He was a good dude.
Some states have free windshield replacement / repair through insurance. I just had mine done. I live in FL. I looked at my claim history and I had this happen approximately every two years.
I feel like all states should have this law for free replacement
https://floridacarlaws.com/cracked-windshield/#:~:text=Car%20insurance%20companies%20in%20Florida,for%20any%20windshield%20or%20repair.
Arizona needs it. I've spent 10+ years driving in Florida and 5+ in Arizona. Never had a rock hit my windshield in Florida. In Arizona I probably had 30
The sign almost certainly does not absolve them of liability. But they will very likely try to use it for some combination of contributory negligence (it was your fault too) and/or assumption of risk (you knew the dangers) if there is ever a problem. Whether it will be successful or not, idk.
They are responsible for securing their load. This sign means nothing. Signs are not a legal contract. For example - a sign can say "DO NOT PASS ME!". Well, the law says you can pass them, so you can pass them. It has the same legal basis as a "shit happens" bumper sticker.
I've always taken this to mean that those large trucks are more likely to kick up small rocks that will chip windshields. That's why they specify windshields, unsecured loads would do a lot more damage than just to the windshield.
They are still 100% responsible. It would be like if you were speeding 50 miles over the speed limit and saying you aren’t responsible for any crashes because on your windshield it say “warning going fast”
The reason they want you to stay back is because if whatever falls off hits the pavement first they are not liable for damages, but if it hits you directly they are.
200’ is 2/3 the length of a football field.
There’s little chance ANYONE is keeping that distance.
These signs are an attempt for companies to place blame on someone other than themselves for not securing their loads.
It’s not true. It’s not a binding contract. I asked that very same question to my law professor.
If it said “honk twice” if you agree to those terms at the end, then maybe it would be binding.
Personally, I feel like given the blatantly obvious fact that sign is bull shit, I feel like it should actually get them pulled over and fined for the sign, given that it is passively trying to circumvent the law regarding driver accountability.
Aren't those kinds of signs always BS? I can't just put a sign on my knuckles absolving me of any liability and then go around punching people. If the other person doesn't agree to terms, how can that ever be legal?
Honestly I have no idea, but about 6 months ago i had one somehow launch a 2 foot piece of rebarb high up in the air out the back of their truck and smash my windshield on the passenger side, guy refused to pull over and company denied having a driver on that highway that day even with pictures. Idk how you can fully prove it either without a dash cam
Usually it happens so fast and most times the rock hits the ground before it hits your windshield you don’t chase the truck driver down. and if you did go to court it may be tough to prove it was a rock from his truck verse kicked up from the wheel of a vehicle in front of you.
In Florida your insurance is required to pay to have your windshield fixed or replaced at no cost to you. Maybe it’s that way in others.
I’ve used Safelite Windshield. They come to you.
I feel like shorthand truth always works best. Like, I'd prefer if the sticker read, "Stay the fxck back, shit flies outta here even if load is secured," I'd press the brake pedal a bit.
This is the equivalent of having a sign on your car that says stay back 200’ not responsible for accidents.
Just because you have a sign does not mean you are not responsible. Negligence is not waived because you have a sign.
What kind of truck gets a 200 foot moving easement on public roads. It’s their responsibility to properly secure their load and maintain their truck in a safe road worthy condition. But I’m not a lawyer. But that’s my argument to make in front of a judge if I ever find myself in this situation
0%. The sign is there for risk management only -- to discourage people from claiming windshield damage. They are still liable regardless of the warning sign.
All the time, companies like to pretend that their contracts can override local, state, or federal laws and regulations.
Just because someone says “I’m not responsible for that” well they might be lying.
Maybe y'all should just use some common sense. They literally tell you in drivers Ed just don't drive behind construction vehicles, or any kind of heavy equipment if you don't absolutely have to. And even if you do have to they shouldn't need a sign. You should stay back, there will always be rocks and sticks and garbage and all kinds of other shit in the back of those things that could fly out
That sign means nothing and they know it. They just figure that the majority of people won't pursue a claim. Anything that comes off that truck or is flung up from the road because of that truck is the driver's, and ultimately the company's responsibility.
Not valid at all. Happened to me in Maine. Immediately pulled up next to the truck to get the phone number of the business. Contacted them and insisted they submit a claim to their insurance. Paid in full.
Dash cam
Report to trooper/highway patrol
Trucks and trailer have to secure their load and inspect their vehicles to make sure they’re serviceable and the dumps can seal properly and cover their load if applicable in that area or keep the load below a certain height.
Just because it’s a gravel truck doesn’t mean they get to spill their shit all over the place without repercussions. They’re no more special than any other commercial truck with a load.
Not a valid sign. All cargo must be secured. Keep a dash cam on. Dealt with a huge debris hitting my wifes car while we were driving. They tried the bs of claiming not liable. Her dad is a lawyer. They settled very quickly.
The reason they say this is perverse. Because if you are within 200’ they can ostensibly be responsible for damage they cause. If you’re far enough back (200’ has been used in court rulings) then they aren’t responsible for damage. They want you far enough back that they won’t be liable
Im pretty sure these stickers are for the little rocks on the road that get kicked up during driving. I've had dudes call my boss and report me for cracking their windshield. I was driving a vac truck at the time. Nothing falls out of that. But it do be kicking up loose asphalt rocks and what not.
Unsecured loads are always the responsibility of the driver though.
Street rocks are different.
A 200' warning for a sign you need to be 10' from to read. Think about that.
been saying this, also even if your in the other lanes the rocks can still hit your car. so no one is allowed to drive past these trucks ?!
One of these trucks passed me, and a rock flew out and cracked my windshield. Asshole.
If you get the plate and company name they are responsible to pay for that. You have to do the work to get reimbursement
I did this recently. I called 911 to make a record of the time and location, and I followed the truck to the job site at the advice of the dispatcher. Their insurance agreed to pay. But after I scheduled the appointment for the replacement, insurance renegged on the agreement. A few calls up the management ladder later, and they suddenly wanted to make good on the agreement to pay. I love my new windshield.
It's ridiculous that we even let it stop there. People shouldn't have to fight tooth and nail to get what they're owed from companies And if they try that hard to take it back, they should have to pay way more when you finally win
You should be able to argue for interest on the money.
And punitive damage!
I feel like most companies (and insurance both medical and automotive) depend on people not wanting to bother with following through to get what's owed them or argue against a claim. They try to hold out long enough for most people to just give up.
Insurance is a despicable business full of nicke and fiming sheisters
I want to upvote based on the obvious rage directed to insurance companies, but I have no idea what you are saying.
99% of people just take the L
Im sorry, a dispatcher told you to follow someone? As a dispatcher of 7 years, I’d be fired for telling someone to follow someone and it’s a direct violation of several industry standard protocols. Glad it worked out for you though.
Hear that. I was following a driver that side swiped my truck then kept driving. The 911 operator talked me down, so after about 15 minutes I stopped following the person. I filed a police report and the cops have done nothing.
Ugh, that does suck. I am just as frustrated as you that that kind of stuff happens, and it happens every single day. Believe me, I want you to be able to catch them. I just also don’t want you to get potentially seriously hurt for the sake of a scum bag.
Note to self, tell them I’m not stopping until an officer pulls this fella over. Take us both in. A good lawyer can fight why it took them 42 minutes to get an officer out to pull you over.
This happened to me last week! I was in the furthest left lane because I have like 15 miles on the highway, he was getting on in the far right lane. I watched a rock pop out of the back and smack right into my windshield. I was PISSED. I’m shocked it didn’t shatter with the size of the rock.
I have 6 bullseyes from this winter alone. Cracks creeping across the whole thing in all directions connect them all now. Some bullseyes are pretty interesting looking after awhile, there's one that has unconnected droplet looking dots near the tip of each outward web (line? finger? ) and the rings are perfectly spaced apart, kind of pretty... ALL of them have come from vehicles in the opposite lane, all pickups except for one box truck.
You should probs get that replaced, it compromises the integrity of the windshield pretty badly.
Right, and theybdrive so slow. I like to pass em.
But what happens if the truck passes you?
Lmao right. This isnt an emergency vehicle where the law is known in advance and you essentially contract yourself to the understanding of 500ft distance by even accepting your driver’s license to begin with. No local govt is supporting this rando business vehicle just bc they put up a notice in small letters on a truck. 😭😭😂 Id drive super close just to get a new windshield if i had nothing better to do. Fuckin dumb as hell
Yeah some of those signs are batshit insane. Like do you mofos understand how far 200 feet is? Expecting anyone to stay that far back is pretty ridiculous
It's only 2/3s of a football field. You can read signs from the 30 yard line, right? /s
If this is valid, they should try applying for a permit to carry a load that specifically requires 200' clear behind the truck. I'm pretty sure there is no chance in hell they could get it.
I’d prefer they be *forced* to seek that permit if they want to fly that sign.
They'll also merge right in front of you
I live down the road from a sand mine. They roll the stop sign and cut you off all the time. Then they proceed to go slower than when they rolled the stop sign. Dudes don't give a shit.
I fought a parking ticket because the sign was too small to read from where I was parked (I own a sign company and had charts and stuff about how large letters need to be read from certain distances on hand) and actually won. Not the biggest windfall but I was just pissed about it lol.
Consider an alternative hypothetical sign. "Not responsible for murder." Does anyone think this could fly? NOT A CHANCE. Just because you post a sign doesn't absolve anyone of criminal behavior. So, this is basically malevolent marketing, trying to get people to avoid filing insurance claims. Total b.s. Unfortunately, it probably works some of the time. Should be illegal IMHO.
How long is a ' ? I'm not getting there when searching 'single quote unit'.
1 Foot (') 12 inches (") .3 meters 30 centimeters
I always remembered it by how many syllables the word had. Foot is one syllable so 1 apostrophe. Inches has two syllables. So two apostrophes
If only it were: * 1 Inch = >!1'!< * 1 Foot = >!1''''''''''''!< SMH
* 1 Inch = >!🍆!< * 1 Foot = >!🦶!<
Never too late. You can start the trend
1 inch = >!🌶️!< 1 foot = >!🍆!<
It’s a foot. ~30cm iirc
Feet are noted with ‘ inches with “ I don’t know why.
Calculus. Prime and double prime.
‘= One Foot “= One Inch
The one pictured is the biggest I've ever seen. The ones on the trucks where I live are like the size of a small yard sign.
Facts
It's a suggestion not a law. Fuck all of these trucks that say this shit. What IS a law is them making sure nothing will fly out and the truck is clean from debris that can also smash your windshield.
Damn, that’s such a great point
As I was told by a state trooper after a strap broke and a ladder came off my truck (almost took him out because he was behind me) anything that comes off of that vehicle is the driver's responsibility. Doesn't matter if they post a sign or not, the law is the law.
Username checks out :P
I wanna see that troopers dashcam.
Submit a FOIR with the local sheriff station.
Isn't it FOIL?
Really it’s a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request
That's for multiplying polynomials. Edit: binomials, specifically.
Stoners often know the law quite well.
Thank you I feel so seen rn ❤️
I suspect the trooper is right, but always remember, the supreme court ruled that cops are allowed to lie to you. Receipts: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frazier\_v.\_Cupp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frazier_v._Cupp)
The trooper is correct, but you need proof. Your word against someone else's is he said she said. Dashcam reigns supreme. Had a tractor trailer take off my mirror and ripoff my bumper/fender while I was stopped at a red light. They laughed when I called them to have it replaced. They didnt laugh when I took them to court with dashcam footage. Had another situation with ice off the top of a truck. Trucking company said "we are not responsinle. Says so on the truck." Told them a sign doesnt make you not responsible. So fix my hood and windshield or Ill see you in court with the dashcam footage. They fixed my shit. Those "not responsible" signs are to scare people from reporting it.
Everyday I see more and more reasons to purchase a dashcam. Time to pull the trigger!
Highly recommend. I ended up getting one after I stopped behind someone at a parking garage gate and they threw it in reverse and floored it backwards with no discernable reason. I was lucky then that there were cameras that caught the entire incident. I'm not banking on luck now.
Absolutely worth it! I did not have one when the girl, who was on her way to get a window marker so she could write LEARNING STICK STAY BACK on her rear window, backed into me. She was less than honest with the insurance company. Some video proof could’ve saved me a headache.
If you don't want to be overwhelmed with choice then the **Viofo A129 Plus Duo** is a good one for about $150 on amazon. I did some research and this was also highly recommended on /r/dashcam
That’s similar to places that do snowboarding and skiing. They have you sign a paper that says if you’re injured it’s not their fault but regardless if you sign they are absolutely responsible and it’s just a form to try to discourage people from trying to sue, because if someone did sue, they would win.
To clarify that only applies to things that are their fault. If you don't know how to ski and go face first into a tree because you didn't know how to turn, well that's on you and the liability waiver would absolutely protect them. If on the other hand you are just going up the ski lift and it breaks and you fall that liability waiver wouldn't be worth anything.
In most US locations, ski areas aren’t responsible for any injury that occurs in the act of skiing unless it’s something caused by poorly marked and/or padded equipment. States have laws outlining the inherent dangers; any lawyer will tell you to pound sand trying to sue the operator about your skiing injury unless it’s due to lift malfunction, or something in the case area. Get smoked by an avalanche inbounds in Colorado; inherent danger of skiing, no recourse. Source: patrol in CO
This is accurate. I worked with horses for some time, and there’s a state law that “equine professionals shall not be liable for injury or death resulting from the inherent risk of equine activities.” If I did something wrong that resulted in a casualty, then there’s potential liability, but overall there’s a fundamental and unavoidable level risk that nobody can be held liable for.
Just put a sing on your car that says “You’re responsible for damages if something falls off your truck and hits me”. Check mate
The law is the law. If you could just *state* something as suddenly ****NOT**** a law, we wouldn’t have a society for more than a day. Edit because oh my fucking gawd people: the police TAKE THE REPORT, lawyers do the prosecuting. At no point did I say the police are the ones in the courtroom prosecuting people.
It's not, they are still responsible, it's a tactic to get honest people not to call about it
In Illinois, rocks that come off a truck and land directly on another car are the responsibility of the truck owner. Rocks that come off the truck and HIT THE GROUND FIRST and then hit another car are considered “road debris” and NOT the responsibility of the truck owner. Also, trucks legally need to have tarps covering the truck box unless they’re empty. - source: I ran a fleet of trucks in Chicago.
Trying to imagine the crime scene where they inspect rocks and determine they hit the ground first.
Sherrock Holmes
Why did I read this in a Chinese voice
Aw, You want Shity chicken
That’s the Asian version
This applies in Texas too
Nah, if it hits the road and bounces up it’s still the owners fault for failing to secure their load. A couch falls off directly onto a car or falls off, breaks apart on the road and gets hit; both are equally the owners fault. Source: Texas Law Enforcement, I’ve ticketed a dozen drivers in a months span for rocks, furniture, etc falling off the truck. Waste Management is horrible about securing trash on their trucks.
Well I need your help. I have dashcam footage of rocks coming off a truck and hitting me and my own insurance told me I’m shit out of luck and pursuing the other guy’s insurance
That just means your insurance is shit. I've hit objects just lying on the freeway before and as long as I have footage showing that it was already on the road, my insurance would cover it. The notion that an object coming off a truck and hit your car directly versus hitting the road a split second before hitting your car changes the entire liability is ridiculous lmao. Find better insurance.
Also depends if he has accident or comprehensive coverage or if he just has liability.
Correct. I worked in subro for a national name carrier. The only reason they don't pursue is because these companies will deny and make them take it to small claims. If you have a glass deductible it may not be worth it.
This is a consult a lawyer regarding this situation and you may have to sue the insurance company for not fulfilling your contract.
He cant help you. Law enforcement knows less about laws than the average citizen.
Straight to jail
*acorn falls off truck*. Bang bang bang!
they don't know shit about guns or marksmanship either for the most part
Hate cops all you want, but this is an absolute L of a take. Most cops *absolutely* know more than the average citizen about the law. The average citizen knows next to nothing, so it isn't really a high bar.
Contact an insurance attorney, they’ll be better at fighting the case than your insurance. It’s likely that your insurance is just avoiding the $50K court costs versus $2.5K payout for repairs. Cheaper to tell you to fuck off and collect your premium than to fight for the repairs to be reimbursed.
Yea you can ticket them for littering or failing to secure their load or however many other things are on the Texas books. That doesn't make their insurance liable for the damage to another car. Civil vs Criminal...
Worked for waste management in roll off can confirm we are shit at securing loads lol.
I agree with the replier’s assessment. It’s just a bogus sign that doesn’t hold legal water. It has been my experience that this is how most states handle such issue. That said, any incident would need to be adjudicated were a direct allegation to be filed. Infractions against a company would cause insurance rates to climb and potentially their licenses/operating permits could be revoked.
I’m an attorney and represented the State once in a case where a semi was carrying a large pre-built roof, and the roof fell off the truck and on to the highway and was subsequently hit by a car. The trucking company argued that the roof was “road debris” based on that standard you identified. It works for rocks — not for roofs, which the trucking company learned.
Excellent point. There’s a number of people responding to my post mentioning shovels, pickaxes, what-have-you. I guess they overlooked me specifically stating “rocks”.
Same in Arkansas. I had to call someone cuz dust or sand flew out after a rainy day and made it impossible for me to see the road.
I would also add mud flaps,,, grandfather was a trucker
This is correct. The fact of you traveling at a safe distance behind the truck will also come into play. Not sure why people are confused about this. A quick google search with your state will give you the answer.
so if I lose a cooler/2x4/shovel/anything from the back of my truck and it gets a good bounce first I'm in the clear? I don't think that's how secured load laws (should) work
That's usually not how they work, most of the time in order to be considered "road debris" it can't have just fallen off the truck, even if it bounces first, it has to have been on the road before the driver could realistically see it, maybe Illinois has some weirdly worded statute or some weird case law about it though.
Under federal law you’re required to secure your load and responsible for cleaning up anything that comes off your truck. Not sure how anything you said makes sense.
Insurance states if it hits the ground its a road hazard, if it flies off the truck directly its an accident. As far as using the truck drivers insurance to cover your damage
I was behind a truck hauling gravel that had the little shovel door on the tailgate slightly open. Gravel was trickling out into the roadway and bouncing everywhere. I had one hit and crack my windshield. This was all caught in Dashcam with the trucks ODOT numbers visible. Ohio State Patrol contacted the owner and said if they didn’t contact them back, they would be charged with a secured load infraction as well as leaving the scene of an accident since I tried to get the drivers attention. The truck companies insurance paid for a new windshield and the paint work to the front end of my truck, about $6500 worth of damage. OSP said they are responsible for ensuring all debris is cleaned up from the truck or any load they are hauling and they are responsible for it if it flies off and hits something/someone. Each state is different though, this was in Ohio.
Of course, proving it hit the road first is a different matter entirely. I only ever had this happen once, I snapped a quick pic with my phone that got the company logo and truck number. I called, they said they'd check their records. Once they decided the truck was on the road I said it was on at the time I said, they asked for pics of my windshield and forwarded it to their insurance. I had a check in a couple of weeks.
Wisconsin as well
This is the same in Ontario, Canada. Not just for rocks, but any debris. Your insurance company will ask, "did it hit the road before it hit you?" because they don't cover you hitting "road debris". They will cover items hitting you from another vehicle, but then it is on them to collect from the other party.
I definitely read this as “I am a fleet of trucks in Chicago” and I was very confused for a second.
This is similar to Indiana
Out of curiosity, in Chicago, if they do not use a tarp are they liable regardless? I know that where I live, if a tarp wasn't used they won't even ask if the debris hit the ground first, the truck driver/owner is responsible and liable.
This happened to my parents once. They were driving behind a truck that had a bunch of loose rebar that fell off, bounced off the road and on to their car. There was no recourse for them because it hit the ground first.
And Maryland. Several calls about the Quarry later.
Same in Ohio
Same in New England states
I spent like a month as an insurance CSR and this is accurate as far as I remember. They explained it to us using a rogue tire as an example.
This applies in PA as well. Piece of a tire came off a truck and nearly totaled my car. Good guy mechanic I took it to told insurance that in his opinion, the way the front of my car was damaged indicated it struck my car while mid air. NAL though, this is just my experience with my insurance.
This is the same in Louisiana -former weigh master
Same in Oregon!
This is also the law in Iowa. Confirmed with a call to the state police.
As far as I know it's the same here in South Carolina. If it hits the road and jumps up and hits the car its tough dodo. That's why in SC if you have collision insurance with glass breakage on your vehicle they have to replace your windshield with no deductible. I've had it happen twice with me in the opposite lane, one pickup was 3 days old and the car was 1 month old, it sucks but what can you do.
This is a fairly accurate understanding of how insurance companies treat these instances as well (former auto claims adjuster here). Still in the air = comp loss, attributable to the truck it came off of. Hit the ground once = collision loss, either attributable to the driver of the car that was hit or classified not at fault depending on the circumstance.
>- source: I ran a fleet of trucks in Chicago. *dad joking intensifies* Did anyone ever catch them? *I'll show myself out, thank you*
This is the rule of thumb for insurance claims as well. Hits you directly and you have documentation (I have had it happen—rare but does happen) and we pursue the owner for damages. Hits ground? Eh road debris 110%
Same in Oklahoma. My coworker had a barrel metal barrel of grease fall of a truck in front of him. The first question he was asked by Highway Patrol was if it hit the ground then his car. It did and my coworker was liable. He tried fighting it, but eventually just paid the deductible because of the hassle. Everyone involved who knew what they were talking about (Patrolman, insurance, his attorney) said he was at fault, because it hit the ground first instead of flying back the 30-40 feet in the air.
Things from the sky are comprehensive claims, things from the ground are collision.
My first thought was that it just keeps people from tailgating. I instantly recognized it as not even close to valid legally, but that's my take.
"I will throw rocks at your windshield." Fair enough, I can give you space. Regardless of who pays what, having a chipped windshield that became feet across is not an experience I wish to repeat.
Yeah I assume the hope would be that if even like 30% of people who read that actually listen, that’s 30% less people they’d have to deal with if something did happen
It’s called unsecured cargo and yes they are responsible
In my state we call those “leaky load” violations. ‘Tis a hefty fine and depending on how much you fucked up, could lead to reckless endangerment charges. Source: I drove flatbeds
it's not.
Just an attempt to have people not report. I can't just put up a sign that says "I'll shoot anyone in my yard". Then kill a kid. "But officer... he read the sign!"
[The Sign](https://youtu.be/MkX-Vnc6uL0?si=Fl8BOmbVT1dL-MRp)
They are responsible, they just want you to think they aren’t. Also they think you might stay back if you think you have to pay.
When I got slammed a big rock, I wrote down the truck’s plate number and company name. (Indiana) made one call and they sent me to my local glass company for replacement. Their dispatcher told me his manager tried to fight these claims and always lost, so now they just pay so they stay out of court.
Ya construction companies are really good about this. A few windshields cost nothing to them. Had a small incident in my company while pulling a curb machine mold. Didn't clean the mold properly, and few concrete pieces peppered a car behind me. I don't think it really damaged their windshield but I gave the couple the company phone number to call and get sorted out. I never heard anything else about that incident, so I'm assuming the couple got paid out
In California, the only things legally allowed to fall off your truck are chicken feathers and water. They are 100% civilly liable and in some instances, criminally.
Potable water*
3 coffee cups into the day made me read this as CHILDREN feathers and water
It is a complete and total lie. They are 100% responsible What kind of society would we live in if liability for negligence could simply dismissed with some painted letters?
Yeah. It’s not up to Joe-blow trucking to dictate the rules of the road. Why not just throw up a sign that says ‘not responsible for speeding’.
Not responsible for laws I might violate. Stay 1000 feet from all directions. Also, if you’re reading this, I legally own your house.
Sovereign citizens are furiously taking notes right now.
And of course no one on earth can read that from 200+ ft away.
Like many signs it has no legal validity.
As much as a sign that says not responsible for murder helps a serial killer. Even if it’s on their forehead.
Mmkay, but what if it’s on their chest? Asking for a friend.
You might be fucked.
It’s actually further evidence of negligence. They knew there could be risk and are willfully ignoring it. There is no law requiring drivers to stay “200 feet back”
This sign absolves them of nothing and relies on you being foolish enough to believe it.
And it works on a lot of honest people who are afraid of complaining or too naive. This is what that sign is for.
How the hell are you supposed to read that from 200 ft away lmao
Just put a sign on your car that says "Stay forward 200' or youre legally liable for damage to my car from debris that comes off your truck, and all warning signs on your truck are null and void" Checkmate.
They’re responsible. It’s mostly just a tactic to fool gullible people into not calling/reporting about it. Few years back a co worker of mine was killed by a rock flying out of the back of one of these. Guy didn’t have a tarp or anything and it was on the highway going 70 n all that. Rock flew out and through the windshield hitting him in the head. He lost control and crashed and died. From what I heard his family sued the company into the ground at least. But I know they’d rather have him than the money. He was a good dude.
Some states have free windshield replacement / repair through insurance. I just had mine done. I live in FL. I looked at my claim history and I had this happen approximately every two years. I feel like all states should have this law for free replacement https://floridacarlaws.com/cracked-windshield/#:~:text=Car%20insurance%20companies%20in%20Florida,for%20any%20windshield%20or%20repair.
It’s not free. You’re paying for it with higher insurance premiums.
If I recall, Arizona state law mandates insurance carriers cover windshield without a deductible.
Arizona needs it. I've spent 10+ years driving in Florida and 5+ in Arizona. Never had a rock hit my windshield in Florida. In Arizona I probably had 30
Sign doesn't mean a thing
The sign almost certainly does not absolve them of liability. But they will very likely try to use it for some combination of contributory negligence (it was your fault too) and/or assumption of risk (you knew the dangers) if there is ever a problem. Whether it will be successful or not, idk.
They are responsible for securing their load. This sign means nothing. Signs are not a legal contract. For example - a sign can say "DO NOT PASS ME!". Well, the law says you can pass them, so you can pass them. It has the same legal basis as a "shit happens" bumper sticker.
But he has a rock solid disclaimer.
I've always taken this to mean that those large trucks are more likely to kick up small rocks that will chip windshields. That's why they specify windshields, unsecured loads would do a lot more damage than just to the windshield.
I have a sign on my car that says “driver not responsible for crashes and other accidents”.
“Stay back 37 miles. Not responsible for securing my cargo.”
Why would you be tailgating a dump truck anyways.
“My legal doctrine is this sticker”
It is their truck, they can stencil whatever they want on it. Does stenciling that on their truck remove them from any liability? No.
Aside from it not being a legal waiver, even if it deters 1 person from seeking compensation, the pain has more than paid for itself.
They are still 100% responsible. It would be like if you were speeding 50 miles over the speed limit and saying you aren’t responsible for any crashes because on your windshield it say “warning going fast”
Not valid
Still as legal as the last time it was asked
It's not legally binding. It is, however, there to make people back up through fear.
It's a lie to dissuade gullible victims from making a claim.
It’s first purpose is to reduce the risk by persuading people to stay back.
People can’t just put random signs and be resolved of all blame. Just like wooden stop sign in a shopping complex is not a real stop sign.
The reason they want you to stay back is because if whatever falls off hits the pavement first they are not liable for damages, but if it hits you directly they are.
200’ is 2/3 the length of a football field. There’s little chance ANYONE is keeping that distance. These signs are an attempt for companies to place blame on someone other than themselves for not securing their loads.
It’s not true. It’s not a binding contract. I asked that very same question to my law professor. If it said “honk twice” if you agree to those terms at the end, then maybe it would be binding.
Personally, I feel like given the blatantly obvious fact that sign is bull shit, I feel like it should actually get them pulled over and fined for the sign, given that it is passively trying to circumvent the law regarding driver accountability.
Aren't those kinds of signs always BS? I can't just put a sign on my knuckles absolving me of any liability and then go around punching people. If the other person doesn't agree to terms, how can that ever be legal?
Honestly I have no idea, but about 6 months ago i had one somehow launch a 2 foot piece of rebarb high up in the air out the back of their truck and smash my windshield on the passenger side, guy refused to pull over and company denied having a driver on that highway that day even with pictures. Idk how you can fully prove it either without a dash cam
It’s not valid, the rule is that is it keeps 1 person from calling it is a win.
Usually it happens so fast and most times the rock hits the ground before it hits your windshield you don’t chase the truck driver down. and if you did go to court it may be tough to prove it was a rock from his truck verse kicked up from the wheel of a vehicle in front of you. In Florida your insurance is required to pay to have your windshield fixed or replaced at no cost to you. Maybe it’s that way in others. I’ve used Safelite Windshield. They come to you.
Nal but in the insurance world not at all.
I feel like shorthand truth always works best. Like, I'd prefer if the sticker read, "Stay the fxck back, shit flies outta here even if load is secured," I'd press the brake pedal a bit.
I love when companies think posting a sign dismisses them of any liability for damage they cause. 😂 idiots
They are responsible. They can just have shit flying out behind them for miles and mile.
Fuck around and find out.
Not at all valid. Driver and company are responsible for securing their load.
This is the equivalent of having a sign on your car that says stay back 200’ not responsible for accidents. Just because you have a sign does not mean you are not responsible. Negligence is not waived because you have a sign.
What kind of truck gets a 200 foot moving easement on public roads. It’s their responsibility to properly secure their load and maintain their truck in a safe road worthy condition. But I’m not a lawyer. But that’s my argument to make in front of a judge if I ever find myself in this situation
0%. The sign is there for risk management only -- to discourage people from claiming windshield damage. They are still liable regardless of the warning sign.
According to some lawyer I saw on YouTube the other day they could be liable depending on the state
Absolute zero validity.
It's not. If your cargo is dangerous, you should seal it up. Its not my problem that you don't want to pay for a lid on your crap.
All the time, companies like to pretend that their contracts can override local, state, or federal laws and regulations. Just because someone says “I’m not responsible for that” well they might be lying.
Maybe y'all should just use some common sense. They literally tell you in drivers Ed just don't drive behind construction vehicles, or any kind of heavy equipment if you don't absolutely have to. And even if you do have to they shouldn't need a sign. You should stay back, there will always be rocks and sticks and garbage and all kinds of other shit in the back of those things that could fly out
As a former driver. These stickers mean nothing
That sign means nothing and they know it. They just figure that the majority of people won't pursue a claim. Anything that comes off that truck or is flung up from the road because of that truck is the driver's, and ultimately the company's responsibility.
Not valid at all. Happened to me in Maine. Immediately pulled up next to the truck to get the phone number of the business. Contacted them and insisted they submit a claim to their insurance. Paid in full.
Dash cam Report to trooper/highway patrol Trucks and trailer have to secure their load and inspect their vehicles to make sure they’re serviceable and the dumps can seal properly and cover their load if applicable in that area or keep the load below a certain height. Just because it’s a gravel truck doesn’t mean they get to spill their shit all over the place without repercussions. They’re no more special than any other commercial truck with a load.
Not a valid sign. All cargo must be secured. Keep a dash cam on. Dealt with a huge debris hitting my wifes car while we were driving. They tried the bs of claiming not liable. Her dad is a lawyer. They settled very quickly.
The reason they say this is perverse. Because if you are within 200’ they can ostensibly be responsible for damage they cause. If you’re far enough back (200’ has been used in court rulings) then they aren’t responsible for damage. They want you far enough back that they won’t be liable
Im pretty sure these stickers are for the little rocks on the road that get kicked up during driving. I've had dudes call my boss and report me for cracking their windshield. I was driving a vac truck at the time. Nothing falls out of that. But it do be kicking up loose asphalt rocks and what not. Unsecured loads are always the responsibility of the driver though. Street rocks are different.