California Vehicle Code (CVC) 26710. goes over the driver’s responsibility to keep windshields in good working order. Drivers can’t travel in vehicles that have cracked windshields that obscure vision and the ability to operate vehicles safely.
Motorists can be arrested and could be asked to prove they’ve had a windshield repaired by going to court.
Am I Responsible for Fixing a Broken Windshield in California?
Drivers who utilize California freeways and boulevards with a cracked windshield that can impair vision put everyone on the road at risk.
It’s why local police and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are allowed to stop vehicles spotted with windshield damage that could affect the motorist’s ability to drive. California law empowers law enforcement officers to act in the safety of all motorists.
“(a) It is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle upon a highway when the windshield or rear window is in such a defective condition as to impair the driver’s vision either to the front or rear.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle described in Section 34500 upon a highway when the condition of the windshield is other than described in Section 393.60(c) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.”
How Long Do I Have to Fix a Broken Windshield in California?
Officers who deem a windshield too damaged to allow for safe driving can require drivers to get repairs within two days. In some cases, offenders may also have to prove they’ve taken corrective action in court.
This is explained in a subsection of CVC 26710.
“(c) In the event any windshield or rear window fails to comply with this code the officer making the inspection shall direct the driver to make the windshield and rear window conform to the requirements of this code within 48 hours. The officer may also arrest the driver and give them notice to appear and further require the driver or the owner of the vehicle to produce in court satisfactory evidence that the windshield or rear window has been made to conform to the requirements of this code.”
The officer could also consider reckless driving charges if the condition of a vehicle was judged to prevent safe travel. This would usually be a misdemeanor charge, resulting in a fine. However, if a cracked windshield was determined to have contributed to an accident that caused injuries or a fatality, fines and or jail time could be part of the punishment.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident involving a serious injury, you should talk over your case and your options with a California Car Accident Lawyer at Maison Law. If your crash was caused by a careless driver who was perhaps traveling in an unsafe vehicle, you shouldn’t face your recovery costs alone.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. It’s a chance to determine how much an at-fault driver should be providing to you. And if you need our help to earn more for your claim, you won’t need any upfront money. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement a car insurance company must provide.
