Dump Trucks, and Stick With Your Instincts

[Jacko3]

On Friday, I had a hard time staying away from my G---struggled while taking a shower to dressing up for work, in the decision of which car to drive to work---used every conceivable means to dissuade my mind form the G. I wanted to drive the little Nissan to work, but for some reason i don't know what hypnotized, and led me into the G---I still cannot explain my behavior and this phenomenon. its hard to stay away form the G.

Okay, now I am in the G, cruising down the highway, and there are 3 dump trucks hauling a$$ on the same highway. suddenly, I hear a loud but specific thud on my windshield, and then a small crack. I was pissed. And then, I look forward and there was one of the dump trucks in the next lane ahead of me. I tried to get him to slow down, but he wouldn't budge. So, i followed him to ths construction site where he was going to off-load a trip of granite rocks.

I got his USDOT number, his registration number, the time and all the data I could get. The driver said he wasn't allowed to give out his insurance info, and told me to call their office to settel the matter.

I called the dumptruck office to complain, and all I got was a lady mouthing off and trying to pin the blame on me. She said the rock came from the tires of the truck and so i couldn't prove it came from the load on the truck. Well, the way the laws are written, dumptrucks are not liable when a rock from their tires fly off and damage your windshield. But, they are liable when stuff from their dump trucks fall off and damage your vehicle. In addition, this dumptruck had a tarp on the granite it was carrying, which made it difficult to prove to her that the rock did not come from the tires.

Eventually, I called my insurance company glass claims dept and reported the incidence. They sent a glass repair guy out to my job that same day, and the guy fixed the crack. They waived any deductibles because the amount for the fix was so small compared to my deductible---I have never made an insurance claim in my life until Friday. I had no idea cracks could be fixed. Only a very small and insignificant dot is evidence that my windshield was ever cracked---and that crack looks more like a squashed bug on the windshield.

I also learnt a lot about fixing cracked glasses, when it happens, avoid washing your car or driving it for too long. This is to avoid dirt or water or any impurities from getting into the cracked areas. This makes a difference in how the crack is fixed or sealed. Finally, stay away from dumptrucks at all cost. Avoid them like a plague. I was lucky the whole winshield was not damaged---would have cost me a pretty good penny on my very high deductible. I should have listened to my instinct and driven my little Nissan. Now, I pay attention to what my instincts tell me about my G.

I have had a world of experience with the G more than I have had with my little Nissan---replaced an engine, nearly lost the car in a turn within 3 months i first bought it, lost a brand new right drivers tire moving at a good speed, been hit from behind by a crazed driver without any damage to my rear, received a crack on the windshield, pulled over by 6 cops in 7 months and received just 1 ticket, etc. What a life and experience with the G---you can see why one could be emotionally attached to a car.


Modified by Jacko3 at 5:58 PM 8/10/2008

[DevonD]

What do you mean by lost a tire? like a new tire you had put on fell to pieces while you were driving? or the wheel came off? either way, sounds scary!

[smockers83]

If a rock was flung by a tire.

[SVTCOBRA]

Jacko,Bought a used 01 pathy several years ago. Noticed a small crack near the hood and had the dealer fix it. They did the same thing and it never spread!

Also, had my windshield replaced on the 05 G sedan that I traded cause it was somewhat pitted. At my cost. I made sure the guys that I called knew it was coming out of my pocket!!It was around $265. I like to see where I'm going!

[Jacko3]

A brand new tire I had installed got blown by a very hard and large object i went over on the highway. Surprisingly, the G was as stable as ever at speed with a blown tire.

[zozoka1212]

Jacko sorry to hear your trouble.

zozo

[Jacko3]

Zozo:

Thanks!

[C-Kwik]

I called the dumptruck office to complain, and all I got was a lady mouthing off and trying to pin the blame on me. She said the rock came from the tires of the truck and so i couldn't prove it came from the load on the truck. Well, the way the laws are written, dumptrucks are not liable when a rock from their tires fly off and damage your windshield. But, they are liable when stuff from their dump trucks fall off and damage your vehicle. In addition, this dumptruck had a tarp on the granite it was carrying, which made it difficult to prove to her that the rock did not come from the tires.

I would have asked how she could have possibly known that since SHE WAS NOT THERE. Regardless of if it was tarped, unless they can prove that it was sealed so that no rock could possibly escape from it, its your word against theirs. And frankly, if you said you saw the rock come off the truck, how can anyone else say otherwise? Not like the truck driver could tell.

[Jacko3]

Nice question! The driver of the dump truck had called her right after I had a discussion with him on the construction site. I was on my way back to work at the time he called her. she claimed that the other two dump truck drvers behind the first one enagaged in the incident, did not see any rocks flying off.

I really didn't want to get into an argument so I handed the whole info to my insurance company and let them sort it out.

[telcoman]

Nice question! The driver of the dump truck had called her right after I had a discussion with him on the construction site. I was on my way back to work at the time he called her. she claimed that the other two dump truck drvers behind the first one enagaged in the incident, did not see any rocks flying off.

I really didn't want to get into an argument so I handed the whole info to my insurance company and let them sort it out.

Sorry to hear what happened. There is a lot of crap all over the roads but I would have called the Police. Who knows if those trucks were legal or overweight? Perhaps they had defective tires?Write a letter to Charlie Christ & tell him if he doesn't assist you you are going to vote for Obama

Telcoman

[Jacko3]

Telcoman:

Thanks! I might turn this into a political thing. I think I am beginning to find my voice in the political arena.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Yea but just don't vote for Obama!

That sucks about your G...

I have a strange question. Every car I have ever had a windscreen replaced has cost me zero. The insurance company has to replace it because if you get into an accident and the cause was the windscreen then the insurance company is at fault and liable for the entire thin!... That is why they do it like that!

DJ

[C-Kwik]

Yea but just don't vote for Obama!

That sucks about your G...

I have a strange question. Every car I have ever had a windscreen replaced has cost me zero. The insurance company has to replace it because if you get into an accident and the cause was the windscreen then the insurance company is at fault and liable for the entire thin!... That is why they do it like that!

DJ

Wrong. The owner is always responsible to make sure their vehicle is roadworthy. That's like blaming your insurance company because you failed to replace your tires and got into an accident as a result. Frankly, if you CHOSE to drive an unsafe vehicle on the road, then it would ultimately be your fault.

That said, consider that policies differ from state to state and in many cases from company to company. And so do coverages. I could certainly pay a high premium and get a $0 deductible comprehensive coverage and all my glass would be covered in case of glass damage. Or, in some states, they have a full glass coverage endorsement that might carry no deductible or a lower deductible than the comprehensive coverage. An insurance company's obligation to you is set by the policy itself. IT is your contract with them. Chances are, you might find the coverage they afforded to you for your windshields if you actually read through your policy.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Well Im speaking for how it works in Florida...

I have with my G $50 deductable if there is a collision and $0 for comprehensive!....

But Before The G I had 1000 and 1000 and Had like 3 windsheilds replaced in other cars and never paid a penny!

I have had Statefarm, allstate, Geico, and Progressive... and they are all the same!

Must be some lucky perk that I live in Florida lol

[C-Kwik]

I'd have a hard time believing that any state's legislation would pass any law that would require an insurer to be responsible for making sure a car is road worthy except for after a covered loss. Chances are, your state simply allows full glass coverage. California along with many other states do not.

I found this in a quick search:

http://www.glass.net/auto-glas....html

"Zero Deductible States—FL, KY, MA, SCIf you live in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, or South Carolina, you live in what's called a "Zero Deductible State." That means that your insurance company is required by law to allow you to purchase a windshield replacement using insurance with no deductible—as long as you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle. If you live in one of these states, and have comprehensive insurance, it makes sense to use your insurance to pay for your auto glass replacement. Florida and Massachusetts only fully cover windshields, but Kentucky and South Carolina cover all glass replacement."

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I love FLA..

Good find