Maybe it's just me....maybe it's that I live in a town obsessed with new construction....or maybe I have a right to be livid
What is up with all the dump trucks in North Carolina & especially the Charlotte area? Now...really, it's not that I give a flying 'F' about the trucks....it's the crap flying out the back and the irresponsible drivers.
Example #1
Driving north on i77 about a month ago, time is about 4pm, traffic is building...but only slowed to about 50mph. Truck from Weyland Trucking passes me and immediately merges into my lane (I'm in the center). As he moves in to my lane, so much gravel starts pouring out the back it looks like it's snowing.
Now I've have four nice big scratches, two that go all the way through....Thx's
(similar incident happened about a week ago on i485, but no apparent damage this time)
Example #2
My wife is driving north on Rea, I'm in the passengers seat. We are stopped ready to turn left on Ballantyne Commons. WHACK!!!!
A Blue Max truck drives into the back of the Prelude. Luckily, my wife didn't have her foot on the break so most of the force was absorbed through motion. No serious damage, but the guy is an idiot and didn't have his LICENSE! Come ON!!!
I think it's time to have a talk with a congressman, representative or someone. Trucking companies take zero responsibility for the damage the create. Every wonder where that gravel comes from in the middle of most intersections? Mostly from big dump trucks and it's very dangerous hazard.
Ok....I'll get off my soap box now....maybe I shouldn't have posted this here. It's just the 'Not responsible for objects ejected from vehicle' mentality seems rude & illegal. I'm curious why drive-by's aren't legal then. All that is is an 'Object Ejected from the Vehicle'.

 

Amen Cheetah!
There is soooo much construction going on in NC. There should be some type of law requiring dump trucks to have a tarp over the back when they are carrying cargo! It doesn't matter if you are the required 200 feet behind the truck. If the dump truck is going 65-70mph on I-40, the rocks and construction debris that blows out of the back is still going to cause damage to vehicles behind it. It's dangerous and causes damage to other vehicles!!! I can't believe that the dump truck operators are that thoughtless!!!!

We have only had our S2000 for 2 weeks and already have 2 dings in the windshield!

 

Amen Cheetah!
There is soooo much construction going on in NC. There should be some type of law requiring dump trucks to have a tarp over the back when they are carrying cargo! It doesn't matter if you are the required 200 feet behind the truck. If the dump truck is going 65-70mph on I-40, the rocks and construction debris that blows out of the back is still going to cause damage to vehicles behind it. It's dangerous and causes damage to other vehicles!!! I can't believe that the dump truck operators are that thoughtless!!!!

We have only had our S2000 for 2 weeks and already have 2 dings in the windshield!

 

In NC, trucks that are carrying cargo (asphalt, rocks, etc.) are required to have a tarp covering the cargo. And, trucks are responsible for any damage that is coming off of their trucks. Here is where it gets tricky- they are not responsible for debris on the road that gets kicked up by their tires, but if debris comes directly from the cargo they are carrying then they are responsible for any damage to your vehicle.

If you call to file a complaint, make sure that you have stated the debris came off the truck, and give specific details of time, location, date, etc. (they keep detailed logs). They will fight it up until the point you mention "attorney" and then they will start to take you seriously. Its a struggle but they will cover the damage. They pay lots of $$$ for insurance to cover these claims.

I used to work for a construction company so I know how the system works.

 

You guys aren't the only ones with new construction and lots of dump trucks everywhere. Here in Richmond, we have the "Dump Truck Syndrome" also...............it sucks!!