Have you ever driven behind a large dump truck that was hauling rocks, gravel or sand and noticed the disclaimer sticker attached to the back? Usually, it reads something like: “Not liable for damage to windshields. Stay 100 feet back.” Guess what? These stickers mean as much as the signs in parking garages that say “Not Responsible for Your Car or Its Contents,” which is to say: nothing.

The laws vary from state to state, but for the most part, such signs and stickers are posted simply to discourage people from taking legal action if and when their vehicle becomes damaged from debris from these trucks. No matter what seemingly legal lingo they have posted, they can still usually be held responsible for any damage they cause. Gravel haulers must follow certain rules, such as using a tarp if the contents are piled closer than six inches to the top of the upper edge of the container. If a truck violates any of the regulations, the Department of Motor Vehicles can slap the driver with a misdemeanor ticket.

Now, it’s true, keeping your vehicle far enough back from a huge truck filled with heavy debris is undoubtedly a good idea. But if one of the rocks flies out and chips your windshield, the problem has become a civil matter and is out of the DMV’s hands. If you care to pursue the issue, you can initially try dealing with the company that owns the offending truck, but if you don’t get satisfaction there, it’s up to you to take them to small claims court. (We didn’t say it would be easy, and that’s exactly what most trucking companies count on.)