HOUSTON -- If it's ever happened to you, you know the sound -- the crack of your windshield when it's pelted by a rock or some other flying debris.

Rocks, concrete, shells, no matter what it is, if it flies off a truck that's not properly covered, state law says that trucker is responsible for the damages to your vehicle.

The law even goes as far as to say truckers are required to sweep the gravel and dust particles off the outside of their trucks before they hit the road.

One woman asked KPRC Local 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis about a sign she saw posted on the back of a truck. She wondered exactly what it meant legally.

The sign read, "Stay back 200 feet. Not responsible for broken windshields."

Attorneys Davis spoke with say that's bull.

The trucker can't tell you how closely you can follow them and they are still liable for damages, no matter your following distance.

If you're hit with flying debris from a truck, make sure you jot down the license plate number and name of the company, if it's on the vehicle.

Some trucking companies will pay for your damages if you're diligent about documenting all of the trucker's information, the time of day and location.

Here’s the tricky part -- if you don't have proof that the flying debris came from that specific truck, such as witnesses or video from a dashboard camera, the company may put you off.

At the very least, get that vehicle information because police can ticket truckers for not properly covering their loads.