Who Is Responsible for Cracked Windshield if Dump Truck Loses Debris On the Road?

Nothing is worse than driving along, minding your own business and – CRACK! – a rock or piece of debris hits your windshield and leaves a crack. Sometimes you can tell where the rock came from, other times you cannot.  But unfortunately, regardless or whether you can or cannot, you are typically going to be responsible for getting your windshield repaired or replaced on your own.

It is very difficult to determine, let alone prove, that a piece of debris came from someone else’s vehicle.  Do you have photographic evidence showing the vehicle and poorly secured load of rocks or items that could potentially fall out?  Even if by some chance you do, providing it was their vehicle that caused the rock or debris to hit your windshield is very difficult.

If you are hit by a piece of debris from a commercial vehicle in front of you, all hope is not lost, as AZFamily notes, “if you’re following a big commercial truck on the highway and it drops debris in your path that damages your car, is the company responsible to pay for it? If the truck drives over something in the roadway, that’s an unforeseen hazard, the company generally would not be responsible. But when the debris comes from the truck, under the law, the company is liable for any damage it causes to your car…If any motorist is involved in this type of incident, they should gather as much evidence as possible, send copies to the company, by certified mail, and demand they forward the claim on to their insurance company. It should include an estimate of the repair and an exact amount that you want the company’s insurer to pay.” If you experience a cracked windshield, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible.  Cracks can be repaired if they are relatively small but if left alone, the crack may grow and no longer be repairable, necessitating a total windshield replacement.  Speak to an experienced and trustworthy auto glass company to get your windshield repaired or replaced.