Inconsiderate truck drivers and trailer destroyed my bumper

[3PedalMINI]

I really have no idea where to stick this so move to necessary area if need be.

 

I was going to a consultation this morning and for 10 miles i got stuck behind a truck/trailer that obviously gets backed into rocks or loaded up or something. As with all trucks i keep a good 200-400 feet behind them but as we were going over the bridge into PA they had all but one lane closed, the truck went over a relief bump and dropped rockes ALL OVER THE ROAD. I was back maybe 350 feet away but they droped and bounced and i hit them going 45. One got the side of my door and by bumper is littered with rock chips

 

It was one lane so i couldn't swerve out of the way and when is saw them drop i hit the brakes but had i slammed on them the A**hole behind me would have rear ended me because he was following so close. It was one of those situations where I could do nothing about it.

 

When the road opened up I did sped up and took a picture of the trucking company/ DOT number/trailer license number

 

Fortunately my hood/windshield was spared. There should be a F$*@&@ law that forces all trucks to wash down and inspect the bumper of their trailers for any debris. Words cannot describe how angry and upset i am. When i calm down ill wash it and take pictures of my bumper.

 

Anyone know if i can contact the trucking company and ream them out? or is this something i should go through insurance and let them handle its so bad the bumper will have to be repainted

 

UGH!

[Chewy]

Yep... This is why I run with an ugly clear bra on my DD... It sucks, but it happens.

 

I don't think you can do a thing about it. You can try though.

 

When I was in Singapore I was amazed to see a crew clean the axles as the trucks and trailers left a job site. They used fire hoses. Singapore is a clean place.

 

Chris

[GaryW]

I really have no idea where to stick this so move to necessary area if need be.

 

I was going to a consultation this morning and for 10 miles i got stuck behind a truck/trailer that obviously gets backed into rocks or loaded up or something. As with all trucks i keep a good 200-400 feet behind them but as we were going over the bridge into PA they had all but one lane closed, the truck went over a relief bump and dropped rockes ALL OVER THE ROAD. I was back maybe 350 feet away but they droped and bounced and i hit them going 45. One got the side of my door and by bumper is littered with rock chips

 

It was one lane so i couldn't swerve out of the way and when is saw them drop i hit the brakes but had i slammed on them the A**hole behind me would have rear ended me because he was following so close. It was one of those situations where I could do nothing about it.

 

When the road opened up I did sped up and took a picture of the trucking company/ DOT number/trailer license number

 

Fortunately my hood/windshield was spared. There should be a F$*@&@ law that forces all trucks to wash down and inspect the bumper of their trailers for any debris. Words cannot describe how angry and upset i am. When i calm down ill wash it and take pictures of my bumper.

 

Anyone know if i can contact the trucking company and ream them out? or is this something i should go through insurance and let them handle its so bad the bumper will have to be repainted

 

UGH!

 

We have 2 companies that haul rock and sand to our plant. They drivers a required to clean the tailgate of the dumps off before leaving the mine. You can call the company and they might work with you. Or call your state commercial vehicle enforcement office and complain to them. also know as D.O.T.

[02Xtreme07ss]

You do have recourse. The driver is responsible for securing his load and ensuring that their is no loose debris on the deck or bed that can cause damage to other vehicles. It is a DOT requirement. If the rocks or debris came off the truck, the truck company is liable, as is your case. If it was kicked up by their tires you have none. The truck company will simply file a claim with their insurance carrier to cover your loses. Call the trucking company and request to speak with the person who can give you their insurance information.

[whiterp199]

Sorry to hear it. Getting anything from the trucking company can be difficult. Once debris hits the road anything afterwards is considered an act of god. That is why most dump truck say to stay back a certain distance. It helps to make sure any debris hits the road before it hits your car so the company/driver is not responsible. Off the truck directly onto your car their fault. Off the truck onto the road than your car might as well have come from AL-quada.

[Marylander]

You do have recourse. The driver is responsible for securing his load and ensuring that their is no loose debris on the deck or bed that can cause damage to other vehicles. It is a DOT requirement. If the rocks or debris came off the truck, the truck company is liable, as is your case. If it was kicked up by their tires you have none. The truck company will simply file a claim with their insurance carrier to cover your loses. Call the trucking company and request to speak with the person who can give you their insurance information.

 

 

And you can always call your own insurance if the repairs are significant. That's why you have it; might as well use it.

[j71]

The trucking company is liable if his load it not secured properly or has a leaky load which it sounds like to me. If they have on their tailgates to stay back so many feet it doesn't mean anything. It is just a way for the company to blame you but it really does not mean anything and will not hold up against the DOT. If you have all the companies info I would file a police report with the state and they could get a ticket if you have proof.

[ArablueRS3]

Yep... This is why I run with an ugly clear bra on my DD... It sucks, but it happens.

 

I don't think you can do a thing about it. You can try though.

 

When I was in Singapore I was amazed to see a crew clean the axles as the trucks and trailers left a job site. They used fire hoses. Singapore is a clean place.

 

Chris

 

Oh i love Singapore! The typical American would get the brakes beat off of them for just being arrogant and littering/spitting while there. I miss the food.

[ArablueRS3]

Sorry to hear it. Getting anything from the trucking company can be difficult. Once debris hits the road anything afterwards is considered an act of god. That is why most dump truck say to stay back a certain distance. It helps to make sure any debris hits the road before it hits your car so the company/driver is not responsible. Off the truck directly onto your car their fault. Off the truck onto the road than your car might as well have come from AL-quada.

 

Who is this Al-quada....lol

[Jasssc]

This hurts to read! I hope you can get everything sorted out and fixed. Best of luck!

 

Was it the mini???

[LFairbanks]

Goodluck with that one Brendon. They don't care. Here they have signs on the back of their trucks that say "Stay back 200 feet. Not responsible for broken windshields". My thought is exactly what happened to you. At a decent speed it isn't going to matter. Your still going to get nailed.

 

Several years ago, I had an issue where a rock from a belly dump nearly went through my windshield, litterally. This was less than a week after I had already replaced my windshield. The company wouldn't do anything. A couple years later I flip on the T.V. and there was a story about how they must of mad the wrong person mad. Someone took a shotgun to the windows at their corporate office...

[MAYBEN]

That sucks bro..

 

:worth:

[3PedalMINI]

This hurts to read! I hope you can get everything sorted out and fixed. Best of luck!

 

Was it the mini???

 

Yeah

 

 

Goodluck with that one Brendon. They don't care. Here they have signs on the back of their trucks that say "Stay back 200 feet. Not responsible for broken windshields". My thought is exactly what happened to you. At a decent speed it isn't going to matter. Your still going to get nailed.

 

Several years ago, I had an issue where a rock from a belly dump nearly went through my windshield, litterally. This was less than a week after I had already replaced my windshield. The company wouldn't do anything. A couple years later I flip on the T.V. and there was a story about how they must of mad the wrong person mad. Someone took a shotgun to the windows at their corporate office...

 

Yeah, i know i think im SOL

 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I called the trucking company and acted polite for a little while until the B@#*$ said "OK sir, whats the big deal its just a car" i then lit into her. I was supposed to get a call back from the GM but never did and i dont think i will.

 

I called NJ DOT and they said without explicit proof (video)its my word against theres and there is not much that can be done. she also said that if the rocks hit the ground first then its especially difficult.

 

SOO....Because i couldnt stand to look at my bumper until it gets repaired/replaced i DR. Color chipped it for the time being. Looks ok, and to most would be acceptable. I called the two Body shops i know does great work and they quoted 5-600 bucks to repair/repaint the bumper and a few other things trim pieces i want painted while they're at it. with the deductible from the insurance it doesn't make sense to go through them. So ill have to live with the bumper for a few months until i can pony up the cash to get this fixed.

 

UGH! No pics for you guys, It hurts to look at it and i dont want it to cause your eyes to bleed

[02Xtreme07ss]

This sucks, but don't give up. This is the game they play. It usually weeds out the claims with insufficient merit. It doesn't matter how many disclaimers they have stuck on their truck, if it came off their load and wasn't kicked up by a tire, they are liable. If you have the time, be persistent. They get calls for this sort of thing all the time, some legit and some not. Didn't you say you had a pic of the DOT numbers of the truck? If so, go file a police report. If you keep calling, keep asking for their insurance carrier info, they will eventually give in. I had several family members that worked for one of the largest asphalt companies in NJ, the experience you have had already is exactly how they handled his sort of thing. Most people iust gave up and thought they were SOL after that first rejection. Those who were persistent were reimbursed in the end. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[3PedalMINI]

This sucks, but don't give up. This is the game they play. It usually weeds out the claims with insufficient merit. It doesn't matter how many disclaimers they have stuck on their truck, if it came off their load and wasn't kicked up by a tire, they are liable. If you have the time, be persistent. They get calls for this sort of thing all the time, some legit and some not. Didn't you say you had a pic of the DOT numbers of the truck? If so, go file a police report. If you keep calling, keep asking for their insurance carrier info, they will eventually give in. I had several family members that worked for one of the largest asphalt companies in NJ, the experience you have had already is exactly how they handled his sort of thing. Most people iust gave up and thought they were SOL after that first rejection. Those who were persistent were reimbursed in the end. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

Thanks ill keep it up! i do have pictures of the DOT numbers, rear/side of the truck too. Do i need to file the police report with the Delaware river port authority? I was crossing the Comadore Barry Bridge when it happened. Or can i just go down to my local police station and file?

 

Ive never done this sort of thing before, let alone file a police report

[Chewy]

Did you take a picture of the front of your car before painting in the chips?

[3PedalMINI]

Did you take a picture of the front of your car before painting in the chips?

 

Yeah I did, i have a couple good shots! i did email them to the trucking company!

[Chase@InsanePaint]

Sooooo sorry to hear bro. I feel your pain.

[02Xtreme07ss]

Thanks ill keep it up! i do have pictures of the DOT numbers, rear/side of the truck too. Do i need to file the police report with the Delaware river port authority? I was crossing the Comadore Barry Bridge when it happened. Or can i just go down to my local police station and file?

 

Ive never done this sort of thing before, let alone file a police report

 

I suggest giving DRPA a call and see what they recommend. I think you have to file with the agency covering the territory the loss occurred.

[3PedalMINI]

I suggest giving DRPA a call and see what they recommend. I think you have to file with the agency covering the territory the loss occurred.

 

Update!.....

 

I called the Delaware river port authority (bridge authority) up last week and they pulled the footage. Camera happened to be at the right spot at the right time on the bridge. They claim they can see the rocks fall off the truck and hit my bumper. I have sent them the rear and DOT info pics and the damage to my bumper along with the written estimates i received for repair. I filed a police report and it sounds like the trucking companies insurance will cover this (i really dont see how they can wiggle out of this) They will also be finning the trucking company and the driver for "unsafe trailer cargo" or what ever they call it

 

I have to give a big Shout out to DRPA for going beyond the call of duty and help me out with this

 

Still upset about my bumper but i am really glad its them having to pay and not me.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice!

[Marylander]

Awesome!

[savi01]

Glad it worked out!

[Tim]

Sweet! I hate it when people try to wiggle out of things they are responsible for.

[Corners]

I really have no idea where to stick this so move to necessary area if need be.

 

I was going to a consultation this morning and for 10 miles i got stuck behind a truck/trailer that obviously gets backed into rocks or loaded up or something. As with all trucks i keep a good 200-400 feet behind them but as we were going over the bridge into PA they had all but one lane closed, the truck went over a relief bump and dropped rockes ALL OVER THE ROAD. I was back maybe 350 feet away but they droped and bounced and i hit them going 45. One got the side of my door and by bumper is littered with rock chips

 

It was one lane so i couldn't swerve out of the way and when is saw them drop i hit the brakes but had i slammed on them the A**hole behind me would have rear ended me because he was following so close. It was one of those situations where I could do nothing about it.

 

When the road opened up I did sped up and took a picture of the trucking company/ DOT number/trailer license number

 

Fortunately my hood/windshield was spared. There should be a F$*@&@ law that forces all trucks to wash down and inspect the bumper of their trailers for any debris. Words cannot describe how angry and upset i am. When i calm down ill wash it and take pictures of my bumper.

 

Anyone know if i can contact the trucking company and ream them out? or is this something i should go through insurance and let them handle its so bad the bumper will have to be repainted

 

UGH!

 

Three years ago I was following an 18 wheeler that was pulling a flat bed trailer (running empty). I could see a few small rocks bouncing around but couldn't pass because it was a two lane road with oncoming traffic. Also had traffic behind me.

 

I stayed back about as far as you did, not knowing what these rocks were going to do. Came to a long straight stretch, wanted to pass but again, oncoming traffic.

 

As I moved a tad over the center line to see if any more oncoming traffic was in sight, that's when the truck hit one of Oregon's famous road holes.

 

Rock went airborne, hit the road one time and then slammed directly into the center of my windshield, almost coming completely through.

 

Called 911 - gave all the necessary info. I don't know about your State Laws but in Oregon when something like this happens, it's simply, with no debate, called an Act of God. Not only did the 911 operator inform me of this but also my insurance company. "I" paid for a new W/Shield.

 

From that experience I now, regardless if driving or riding my motorcycle, get stuck behind a truck and have traffic behind me, I slow way down, hoping at least one vehicle will pass me and drop in behind the truck. Better "them" than me.

 

Sorry to hear what happened to you and really hope your State Laws are different so the trucking company gets stuck with the bill. Regardless, I'd at least personally speak to the owner/mgr. of the trucking company.

 

IF you speak to a Rep. don't ream them out - "Ya get more bee's with honey that you do vinegar."

 

Good Luck!

[Superdutytd]

In WA the windshield can not be considered as part of damages either.