disclaimer: this might be somewhat anal

Coming into work today on I-40, a big truck from another lane flipped up a tiny pebble that came into my lane and hit my windshield, cracking it. Not a chip, a crack. I wasn't behind the truck, I was in another lane. His flaps were old and torn, definitely wouldn't pass inspection, and he had no sign about "following back a certain distance". I got his license plate #. Seems like this truck should be liable for having crappy flaps.

Is there any point to pursuing this at all? If one of those glass shops can fix the crack (less than an inch across) how much does that cost, like <$100?

5/1/2009 8:10:56 AM

damn dude that sucks .

it's pretty easy to crack a s2k windshield. i think the damn thing sits 90 degrees to the road.

5/1/2009 8:16:44 AM

you could just buy a kit and drill a hole at the end of the crack/vein and replace the hole with filler. I did this on a ~5" crack on the Porsche and it's been fine for over 4 years now.

5/1/2009 8:28:46 AM

^^ I'm gonna go with more like 45 degrees

5/1/2009 8:30:05 AM

Stephen, does doing that leave a mark of any kind? This crack is SMACK DAB in the middle

I've never had a crack repaired before (figures that in 12 years of driving it only happens after I get a nice car) does it leave a mark?

And I'm guessing you two think its dumb to track down the trucking company?

5/1/2009 8:35:14 AM

Glass doctors.......I have 2 cracks on my windshield they fixed (3+ yrs and counting)

I think its like $45 for the fix if you drive there......well worth it.

5/1/2009 8:42:12 AM

I won't say that it hides it perfectly, but I wouldn't go as far to say that it stands out like a sore thumb either. I'll take a picture of what was done to the 944 tonight and post it up after work. The kit was basically a glass cutting drill bit and some filler.

5/1/2009 8:50:48 AM

TEG, my insurance covers replacement windshields...is it comprehensive, mayhaps? cannot remember exactly. All i know is I had a windshield replaced after some rock {or fist} busted it, no questions asked.

5/1/2009 8:51:01 AM

Thanks for the tips/advice and whatnot.

Apparently, I can get my insurance to cover the repair (even though its below my deductible of $250). Safelite Autoglass is coming between 12-5 to my office to fix it.

Costing me nothing

5/1/2009 9:34:26 AM

Sweet. That's awesome

5/1/2009 9:37:38 AM

Unfortunately, not sweet.

The guy came (from Safelite Autolite) to fix the crack. And it didn't go so well. The crack on the left side of the chip grew to almost 2 inches long (from less than an inch originally). It's fixed and won't grow, and from most angles you can't see the crack. But its bigger than before and its PLAIN AS FUCKING DAY when you're sitting in the car. So now I'm paying $250 for a new windshield (my deductible).

Dip me in shit

5/1/2009 12:08:52 PM

Where do I sign up?

5/1/2009 12:09:36 PM

those disclaimers don't mean shit. they are still liable for damage by law, they just think by putting those there everyone will think it's their fault and not pursue it.

5/1/2009 12:51:38 PM

Why didnt you call the trucking company and bitch and moan to them?

5/1/2009 2:04:45 PM

Quote :

"he had no sign about "following back a certain distance"."

which, by the way, means absolutely jack...i'm not aware of ANY states where those notices are valid, but i know for a fact that in NC, at least, they don't mean a thing

they are, however, very effective at making people THINK the trucks aren't responsible for such things (though, legally, you'd have a hard time proving anything unless it was something that came out of the truck bed)

5/1/2009 3:02:06 PM

Do you think I have a chance against some trucking company?

If I want to contact them how do I do that if I only have the license plate #? There was no company name on the truck.

5/1/2009 3:16:09 PM

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/106594/

If it fell off the truck, they are liable. If the truck kicked it up, they are not liable.

5/1/2009 10:19:53 PM

i too have an s2000 that was victim to falling rocks (just chips though)

5/2/2009 12:02:12 AM

they can also get a citation for an improperly secured load, troopers eat that shit up, commercial tickets give them wood, because the fine is 2-4 times higher than normal ones

5/2/2009 12:23:08 AM

Quote :

"even though its below my deductible of $250"

I was totally under the impression that windshield replacement was NOT part of the deductible. I've heard multiple times on CarTalk over the years that most insurance policies cover this without deductible because it's a safety hazard, and it's not a driver induced issue.

5/2/2009 1:15:12 AM

Quote :

"it's pretty easy to crack a s2k windshield. i think the damn thing sits 90 degrees to the road."

Quote :

"i too have an s2000 that was victim to falling rocks (just chips though)"

and another one bites the dust!

5/2/2009 9:11:04 AM

i have never had a cracked windshield, which is a miracle considering the highway miles i drive in a year, but my dad has at least 1 a year

5/2/2009 10:46:59 PM

do you drive cars that have windshields 36" off the ground?

5/3/2009 7:53:40 AM

more like 6'

5/3/2009 10:08:27 AM

how is it a miracle?

5/3/2009 11:25:11 AM

i have shit bounce off my windshield all the time, i guess american vehicles are just made better

5/4/2009 11:58:03 AM

lol, yeah that's it.


$230 later I have a new flawless windshield on my car...

5/4/2009 12:42:31 PM

^^

Everyone knows that is true.

5/4/2009 6:41:06 PM

indeed

5/7/2009 1:29:46 PM

and youre driving a truck that is more than 2 honda 2000s tall

5/7/2009 2:05:22 PM

Quote :

"more like 6'"

captain obvious antireadingcomprehension to the rescue

5/7/2009 2:08:49 PM