Stay back 200ft...

coltle6920

coltle6920

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I'm talking about those trucks you find yourself following that display a sign that says "Not responsible for broken windshields."

Anyone get a broken windshield from a thrown rock and put in a claim against the truck company? I'm thinking that the average person wouldn't even try because they see the sign and think they don't have a case.What good is a 200ft margin going to do you if you're on the highway doing 70+ mph? I would think the gap would be closed before a rock took it's first bounce on the highway.

Maybe I'll get a sign for my truck that says "Stay back 200ft. Not responsible for anything if I spill my coffee and slam on my brakes."

I could think of a lot more appropriate signs but there's only so much available space.
 
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If you could figure out the responsible party, I think you should be able to file a claim against the semi trucks that leave retread scraps all over the highway. Indiana is covered with them, a few weeks back couldn't avoid one and it left some deep scratches down the side of my vette.
 
As someone who works around trucks I'm always amazed how other drivers just assume it's the driver/company's fault. Because each driver is obviously trained to see and feel each pebble on the highway and be able to avoid them while avoiding all the dumb drivers at the same time.

Would you try to make a claim against me? How about I follow till my windshield cracks and I put a claim against you? Obviously it's your fault.... correct?

Just like those smart drivers who just assume a 80,000 lbs truck can stop on a dime so it's OK to get in front and slam on the breaks. Or the ones who like to test the theory of the sign that says "this truck makes wide turns"

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I had one broken about 8-9 years ago by a big cement truck! I called the company and they sent out a insurance claims adjuster. I left the concrete splatter on the hood and roof and they even payed for a complete detail job and the windshield!

My silverado's got busted about two months ago by a semi's tire coming apart. It sounded like a cannon ball hit my truck. By the time I realized what had happened, the truck was long gone! It scared the HELL out of me! So the very next exit I called the police and they took a report over the phone. So I took pictures and called my insurance company and they did say that they'd cover some of it. But my out'a pocket cost was still $230. I got it done by a Friend of mine in the automotive glass business, he charged me $120 for a new windshield installed!

So my insurance was useless!!!
 
SW MP15 said:
I had one broken about 8-9 years ago by a big cement truck! I called the company and they sent out a insurance claims adjuster. I left the concrete splatter on the hood and roof and they even payed for a complete detail job and the windshield!

My silverado's got busted about two months ago by a semi's tire coming apart. It sounded like a cannon ball hit my truck. By the time I realized what had happened, the truck was long gone! It scared the HELL out of me! So the very next exit I called the police and they took a report over the phone. So I took pictures and called my insurance company and they did say that they'd cover some of it. But my out'a pocket cost was still $230. I got it done by a Friend of mine in the automotive glass business, he charged me $120 for a new windshield installed!

So my insurance was useless!!!
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That's a different story. There is tire and cement as proof. A small rock or pebble on the road isn't off the truck

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There are a bunch around here that have signs that say 'Not Responsible for debris thrown from highway". Usually on un-tarped gravel trucks. Those and concrete trucks haul gravel, and its probably a real pain for the drivers to sweep off all the loose stuff they generate. But saying they're not responsible and being not responsible are two different critters.

Years ago, we had an ice storm. A driver called and demanded our insurance information. We sent him to the local PD where he claimed it happened. But that PD said ice is just a road hazard. Just claiming it came off a truck and proving it are different things. Maybe if you were running a dash cam, you'd have a chance. Its why drivers have comprehensive coverage themselves.

Also around here some fire trucks have signs that say "Stay Back 500 feet". Good luck with that.
 
You know, talking about signs on the back of trucks, I always wanted a fluorescent light display mounted to my tailgate that I could send messages while driving via a keyboard in the cab. Not too safe, I know, but you could have a bunch of stock messages stored on board, depending on the configuration. Could be a lot of fun...
 
timn8er said:
You know, talking about signs on the back of trucks, I always wanted a fluorescent light display mounted to my tailgate that I could send messages while driving via a keyboard in the cab. Not too safe, I know, but you could have a bunch of stock messages stored on board, depending on the configuration. Could be a lot of fun...
Click to expand...

ABS test in 3...2...1....
 
Arik said:
As someone who works around trucks I'm always amazed how other drivers just assume it's the driver/company's fault. Because each driver is obviously trained to see and feel each pebble on the highway and be able to avoid them while avoiding all the dumb drivers at the same time.
Click to expand...

Wow!! It's amazing how you come up with some of your thoughts.Those signs have nothing to do with driving over debris on the highway.It has to do with what might fall off of the back of the truck as a result of something previously in the truck.

You work around trucks and I've actually driven them.The smaller the rock the easier it is for some to fall through the cracks and off of the truck when driving.I doubt there's a driver out there that takes a second to wipe off the tailgate or rear bumper of any small loose debris that might become a hazard on the road.In fact I'll bet the only time they get out of their truck in eight hours is to feed their face. :rolleyes:

Putting a sign on the back of your truck does not absolve you from any or all liability or else there would also be a sign warning of flying tire tread or blowouts.
 
Which is one reason why I now have a hi-def dash cam. The operators of those trucks must be required to do a better job of controlling spill, even if it is through law suits. 200 feet? Bull&*$%.
 
A solution for all,

Stay away from dump trucks and other over loaded trucks. Spillage problem averted.

Draft the 18 wheelers and the small things will go under your ride and you save a lot of gas.

Remember, Neither can stop as fast as you.

:D:D:D:D:D

Happy Motoring.
 
In 1960 two kids I had known in college got married and were on their honeymoon trip. The groom came up behind a dump truck, where he spotted half a brick stuck between two of the rear tires. Before he could drop back it shot free, came through the windshield of his car, and removed the top of the bride's head.

I try to give the trucks lots of room. It angers some drivers behind me who think I should tailgate the rigs as they do, but that is their problem.
 
coltle6920 said:
Wow!! It's amazing how you come up with some of your thoughts.Those signs have nothing to do with driving over debris on the highway.It has to do with what might fall off of the back of the truck as a result of something previously in the truck.

You work around trucks and I've actually driven them.The smaller the rock the easier it is for some to fall through the cracks and off of the truck when driving.I doubt there's a driver out there that takes a second to wipe off the tailgate or rear bumper of any small loose debris that might become a hazard on the road.In fact I'll bet the only time they get out of their truck in eight hours is to feed their face. :rolleyes:

Putting a sign on the back of your truck does not absolve you from any or all liability or else there would also be a sign warning of flying tire tread or blowouts.
Click to expand...
You talking about pickup trucks or tractor trailers
coltle6920 said:
Wow!! It's amazing how you come up with some of your thoughts.Those signs have nothing to do with driving over debris on the highway.It has to do with what might fall off of the back of the truck as a result of something previously in the truck.

You work around trucks and I've actually driven them.The smaller the rock the easier it is for some to fall through the cracks and off of the truck when driving.I doubt there's a driver out there that takes a second to wipe off the tailgate or rear bumper of any small loose debris that might become a hazard on the road.In fact I'll bet the only time they get out of their truck in eight hours is to feed their face. :rolleyes:

Putting a sign on the back of your truck does not absolve you from any or all liability or else there would also be a sign warning of flying tire tread or blowouts.
Click to expand...


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In Va. Loads are required to be covered, helps a lot but stuff still falls off. Not all of the debris is in the bed. Definition of covered seems to vary considerably.
 
I used to inspect vehicles for insurance companies.
I was always amazed to hear someone say something like "I was following this dump truck for a couple of miles and ......."
Well duh! Common sense would dictate to NOT FOLLOW. Back off or pass as quick and safe as possible.
Then when doing the inspection the vehicle owner would always point out every rock chip they could see. Nope, I see three chips. These others have embedded rust and the white rings in the other chips is old car wax.
Most people only know how start a car and change the radio, until there is damage from someone else. Then they know their car like the back of their hand.

The good dump drivers and construction haulers will sweep the sill of the box and the flat bed but the driver following should recognize the potential hazard and drop back or pass.
 
No but I've been behind some that was just a throwin' rocks and dirt clods all over the doggone country.

At times I wished I had a big old milkshake that I could just drive past with and throw on THEIR windshield!! :D
 
shouldazagged said:
In 1960 two kids I had known in college got married and were on their honeymoon trip. The groom came up behind a dump truck, where he spotted half a brick stuck between two of the rear tires. Before he could drop back it shot free, came through the windshield of his car, and removed the top of the bride's head.

I try to give the trucks lots of room. It angers some drivers behind me who think I should tailgate the rigs as they do, but that is their problem.
Click to expand...

Two years back there was a similar event in my area. A softball size rock was lodged between rear tandem tires on a gravel truck. Family on vacation came up behind truck at just the wrong moment. Rock went through windshield and struck and killed the mother. I've always avoided spending time behind trucks as much as possible and since this event have checked between the tires.
 
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