Who’s responsible if snow or ice from your car causes damage in NC?
With another round of snow likely on the way in North Carolina, drivers may soon find themselves scraping ice and brushing off windshields once again.
But what happens if that snow or ice comes loose on the road and hits another vehicle?
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is responsible for damage if snow or ice flies off your car?
If snow or ice flies off your car, you could be held liable if it causes damage to other vehicles.
“An officer could possibly stop you if the snow coming off your vehicle was creating a traffic or roadway hazard,” Sergeant Christopher Casey with N.C. State Highway Patrol previously told The Charlotte Observer.
There’s no law that explicitly requires drivers in North Carolina to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, Casey said.
However, state law says you can’t drive a vehicle on public roads unless its load is secured so that nothing can fall, blow, spill or escape from it while the vehicle is moving. That means cargo must be tied down or removed to keep items from dropping onto the roadway or flying off.
That’s why the N.C. Department of Public Safety advises drivers to clear as much snow and ice from your vehicle before hitting the road, including on the hood, trunk, bumper, headlights and tail lights.
What’s the penalty for snow and ice flying off your car?
In addition to being held liable for damages to other vehicles, you could face a fine of up to $2,000 for flying debris, according to Pitt County Solid Waste and Recycling.
Law enforcement treats loads that aren’t properly secured as violations tied to littering laws, the county says, meaning drivers could also face community service requirements and other penalties depending on the severity of the offense.
Will insurance cover damages from flying snow and ice?
Yes, but the protection only applies if you have comprehensive coverage, WFMY News reported.
In North Carolina, comprehensive insurance isn’t required, but it covers damage from non-crash events such as falling ice. Drivers without it are responsible for repair costs out of pocket.
Can you get a ticket for driving around with snow or ice on your car?
Not exactly. While there are no laws that require drivers to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, there are a few state laws that either imply or explicitly require drivers to have unobstructed views of the road:
- It’s illegal to drive any vehicle upon a highway with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, side or rear window.
- State law also says “no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the streets or highways of this State unless equipped with an inside rearview mirror … which provides the driver with a clear, undistorted and reasonably unobstructed view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle.”
- A person who “drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public vehicular area carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others” could be guilty of reckless driving, state law says.
What should you do when your car is covered in ice?
AAA recommends several simple steps drivers can take to safely clear ice from their windshields:
- Start the engine
- Set the heater to defrost
- Adjust the airflow to recirculate
- Move the temperature control to full heat
A commercial glass deicer can also speed up the process and is widely available at hardware stores and many grocery chains.
For a do-it-yourself option, AAA suggests mixing one part isopropyl alcohol with two parts water and a few drops of dish soap. Once the ice begins to loosen, drivers can use a plastic scraper, windshield wipers, a rubber squeegee or a soft-bristle brush to clear the glass more quickly.
How to prepare your car for snow and ice
You can also do these five things to prepare your car for icy weather, The Observer previously reported:
- Wash your car
- Check your cabin air filter
- Check your tire pressure
- Check the battery
- Top off your antifreeze
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Who’s responsible if snow or ice from your car causes damage in NC?."
