I was driving through Medford the other day behind one of those big 10-yard dump trucks and noticed a sign on the tailgate that said "Keep back 200 feet — not responsible for broken windshields." That got me to thinking. Do drivers have any responsibility for things that fall off their vehicle and damage vehicles that are following behind?

— Will D., Rogue River

The sign may make the truck driver feel better, Will, and it might deter you from chasing him down if a rock from his truck broke your windshield, but it doesn't really protect him (or his insurance company) from responsibility for damage caused by falling objects.

Lt. Tim George of the Medford Police Department says drivers are responsible for damages caused by rocks or anything else that falls from their vehicle, even if the objects fall off accidentally.

That said, filing a claim could be difficult if you don't have the name of the truck owner or the license plate number. George said he once chased a gravel truck for 40 miles between Portland and Salem trying to get information after a falling rock broke his windshield, but he eventually lost the rig in traffic.

Many truckers tarp their loads to prevent objects from dislodging.