So I was driving down I-90 and this dump truck in front of me starts shooting rocks at me. So I jet into the next lane but before I could pass him this huge rock bounces off my hood and hits my winshield and leaves a star shaped crack. So I get his license plate and call the police but I couldn't stop because I had a plane to catch.

I have two questions for you guys. First do I have to replace the entire windshield or can it be repaired. Second how do I file a claim against this truck driver. Is it to late to file a complaint and whats the best way to go about doing it. Sorry this is so long but I'm a little ****ed off, I just bought the car a month ago. Thanks for your help guys.

 

Same thing happened to me, but it was a cement truck. No cracks on the windshield, but lots of scrapes and nicks on the hood, fenders, front bumper, and windshield. I got them all replaced\repainted and covered by insurance. My insurance company is currently fighting with the cement truck company to pay for the damages ($2500+ my $500 deductible). My passenger recorded the cement truck's license plate, but didn't write it down correctly. Even so, last update on my claim was that the cement truck company agreed to pay. Something to check: did the debris come from the truck itself, or did it get kicked up from the road? If it was on the road, the trucker has no liability. If it came from the truck itself, then you can make them cover it.

At the time it happened, I filed a police report, but that's all you can really do.

Is the crack on the windshield large? There's those places that claim they can fix windshield cracks, but I don't know how it works.

 

Friend of mine had her windshield cracked THREE different times from rocks kicked up by other cars on the beltway. She had the cracks repaired by a company that came to her office parking lot while she was at work and repaired it. Her husband is the totally **** type so if it wasn't an excellent job heads would have rolled. . . (in the meantime we've suggested hanging a horse shoe from the mirror).

Good luck trying to collect from the truck!

 

So how do they fix the crack? I've heard they fill it in with some material that fills in the lines of the crack, but the crack is actually still there. Unfortunately, if you get a crack in your windshield from a rock that is kicked up by another car, the other car is not liable for damages.

 

The rock was not kicked up by the truck, it fell out of it.

 

Most ins. co. will pay to have the crack repaired. I've had it done and it didn't cost me a dime. Just call your agent and he / she should be able to hook you up w/ someone who will come to your work / home or whatever, and fix it.

 

Honestly I'm not sure how they did it but I can say that I couldn't tell it was ever cracked (much less 3 times). The insurance company (hers since she didn't have someone to make a claim against) did cover it after the deductable was paid. If I remember, they would not pay to have the windshield replaced, just repaired. She just got rid of it (Altima) and bought a new Lexus.

 

shouldnt have a problem... insurance will cover that and your premiums wont go up.

 

My premium didn't go up but it did count as a claim. Put simply, my Allstate Insurance covered the chip repair. They didn't charge me anything but I now have a claim under my belt. Not what I had wanted.

 

try safelite...they do a good job in fixing windshield cracks...use something called resin to fix the crack...it heals with UV light..or you can just fix it yourself with bullseye windshield repair kit

 

Checked with my friend, this is who she used, Safelite. The website explains the whole process. She said they did a great job.

Good luck with it.