Stay Back 200 Feet - Not Responsible for Broken Windshield

[mean dad]

I was under the impression that anything that falls off your vehicle and causes damage is on you/your insurance.
I see lots of signs on the back of trucks stating to stay back X number of feet and that they're not responsible for broken windshields. I'm pretty sure the signs are complete and utter bullshit but wanted to ask a professional.

Are the signs accurate?

If not, I think it's ridiculous they're allowed to lie to the public like that.

 

[LongGoneJohn]

Yes. Ridiculius that someone would be allowed to lie! Let's pass a law that makes lying illegal! Who cares about the pesky first amendment! Honesty is more important!!

 

[brichter]

I'm pretty sure this comes under both "securing load" laws, as well as littering from motor vehicles which states that the only allowable substances that can be discharged from a vehicle are clear water and chicken feathers.

This is probably there to try and convince people not to report incidents.

 

[bojangle]

I'm pretty sure this comes under both "securing load" laws, as well as littering from motor vehicles which states that the only allowable substances that can be discharged from a vehicle are clear water and chicken feathers.

This is probably there to try and convince people not to report incidents.

Not just that. Semis, even with mudguards, sometimes kick up rocks from the road and send them back.

Something like that would be a civil matter. Sure, they're liable. But can you prove it? They will claim that they're just being targeted because they are a large truck. If it's only a cracked windshield, for example, is it worth the time and effort?

They probably post the signs to discourage claims.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I've seen that sign on several trucks recently. I'm wondering how you're supposed to pass them while still staying back 200 feet.

 

[Shaggy]

Securing a load and a tire kicking up rocks are not the same thing.

 

[Junkie]

I can't imagine being liable for a tire kicking up rocks if you have mud flaps down to required height and are driving reasonably but :dunno

I also can't imagine those signs being worth the paper they're printed on, other than discouraging claims

 

[matjam]

There’s a dickhead driving around with a giant “Caution: stay back” sticker on the back of his car in east bay.

He gets pissed if you get within a couple car lengths of him.

Fucking loony.

 

[mean dad]

Yes. Ridiculius that someone would be allowed to lie! Let's pass a law that makes lying illegal! Who cares about the pesky first amendment! Honesty is more important!!

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this thread.

 

[buellistic]

I was heading north on 280 just past the 85 overpass.
A concrete truck hit a bump in the road in front of me.
And some rocks fell off and cracked my windshield.
I took a picture of the name on the truck door.
Noted the time. And direction of travel. Called them later and
The secretary said there trucks are clean and told me to F. OFF
And good luck!

 

[Lorry]

I was following one on 85 and it's tail wasn't closed fully - it was showering bucketloads onto the freeway. Luckily another semi flashed him and maybe CB'd him (if those still exist) and he pulled off the road.

 

[Lorry]

Securing a load and a tire kicking up rocks are not the same thing.

True, but sometimes you feel like you are following a comet when you get within 1/4 mile of one of the quarry trucks. Obviously you can't prove whether the specific stone that smashed your windshield was flicked up or dropped, and they rely on that.

 

[Dyn Blin]

I had a claim over 20 years ago after the plumbing company truck in front of me dropped a load of pipe. One bounced up and dug a nice straight channel up the hood to the wiper, tore that off and adjusted the trajectory just enough to send a spiderweb of cracks through the windshield.

'Same insurance company covered me and the truck.

They decided it was "road debris" since it touched the ground before it hit my car (I described it how I saw it, maybe I should have kept my mouth shut). I also had to pay my deductible and it was counted as an "at fault" on my record.

It was explained that they considered a road hazard "avoidable".

 

[brichter]

I had a claim over 20 years ago after the plumbing company truck in front of me dropped a load of pipe. One bounced up and dug a nice straight channel up the hood to the wiper, tore that off and adjusted the trajectory just enough to send a spiderweb of cracks through the windshield.

'Same insurance company covered me and the truck.

They decided it was "road debris" since it touched the ground before it hit my car (I described it how I saw it, maybe I should have kept my mouth shut). I also had to pay my deductible and it was counted as an "at fault" on my record.

It was explained that they considered a road hazard "avoidable".

I hope they're not your insurance company any more.

 

[orbframe]

The signs are a lie. They are absolutely liable... if you can prove it.

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article...le-for-broken-windshields-sign-work/472108612

 

[Shaggy]

I had a claim over 20 years ago after the plumbing company truck in front of me dropped a load of pipe. One bounced up and dug a nice straight channel up the hood to the wiper, tore that off and adjusted the trajectory just enough to send a spiderweb of cracks through the windshield.

'Same insurance company covered me and the truck.

They decided it was "road debris" since it touched the ground before it hit my car (I described it how I saw it, maybe I should have kept my mouth shut). I also had to pay my deductible and it was counted as an "at fault" on my record.

It was explained that they considered a road hazard "avoidable".

Insurance companies are a for-profit business. The decisions they make on assigning fault are business decisions that can conflict with facts, ethics, and even a police report's assignment of fault.

 

[SBSV650]

I was under the impression that anything that falls off your vehicle and causes damage is on you/your insurance.
I see lots of signs on the back of trucks stating to stay back X number of feet and that they're not responsible for broken windshields. I'm pretty sure the signs are complete and utter bullshit but wanted to ask a professional.

Are the signs accurate?

If not, I think it's ridiculous they're allowed to lie to the public like that.

Even if their debris doesn't break your windshield, it can tear up your tires.

 

[ctwo]

Yes. Ridiculius that someone would be allowed to lie! Let's pass a law that makes lying illegal! Who cares about the pesky first amendment! Honesty is more important!!

Driving is a privilege and I'm sure there could be regulations that prevent many things protected by the constitution. For example, I am allowed to have red light, but not facing forward in/on my vehicle.

There’s a dickhead driving around with a giant “Caution: stay back” sticker on the back of his car in east bay.

He gets pissed if you get within a couple car lengths of him.

Fucking loony.

Couple of car lengths seems too close to me. 3 seconds. It's the law, YO! (IANLEO)

I do wonder about the cars that drive in the shoulder at 70+ thinking you want to split past, and kick up all manner of stuff.

I've had big chunks fall off a gravel truck, looked surreal as it seemed to break apart into 3 pieces, like a meteor without the flames, and shatter my windshield. And caltrans with their jackhammer busting out the center divide wall 2 feet from racing traffic and no barrier higher than the secondary wall.

 

[mean dad]

Yes. Ridiculius that someone would be allowed to lie! Let's pass a law that makes lying illegal! Who cares about the pesky first amendment! Honesty is more important!!

Driving is a privilege and I'm sure there could be regulations that prevent many things protected by the constitution. For example, I am allowed to have red light, but not facing forward in/on my vehicle.

Plus the fact that a false claim made by a business is not really "free speech" to be protected. :dunno

 

[doc4216]

Shit... I knew a guy in South Carolina that used to keep marbles in his pockets or tank bag so when people followed him too close, one went over the shoulder.

Not sure if anybody ever made a claim against him. I always thought it was a bit douchy but I never got marbles thrown at me!