Can You Drive With a Cracked Windshield in Massachusetts?
Published in Uncategorized on August 11, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Massachusetts law is slightly murky on the topic of cracked windshields. However, it is generally accepted that driving with a cracked windshield can be a traffic violation. Understanding the rules is important if you want to avoid a fine and potential complications if you get into a car accident.
In this post, we will explore exactly what Massachusetts law has to say about windshields and how the police interpret this. We will also examine how an experienced auto accident attorn-ey can assist if your car accident claim is being complicated by a cracked windshield.
Understanding Massachusetts Laws on Cracked Windshields
Windshields are only mentioned once in the main body of the Massachusetts General Laws. Under Title 16, Chapter 90, Section 9A, it is stated that windshields must be made from safety glass. However, the law is silent on what happens when your safety glass windshield gets cracked.
Inspection regulations
However, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles regulation 540 CMR 2.00 sets out regulations for annual safety inspections. This law speaks at length about windshields and indicates that if the following is true, your vehicle is not roadworthy:
- Any breaks with sharp or jagged edges
- Any damage over 1 inch (size of a quarter) in diameter “within the critical viewing area”
- Any damage larger than 2 inches “outside the critical viewing area”
- Single line cracks extending 3 inches or more into the critical viewing area
- Multiple cracks, in which at least part extends into the critical viewing area
It is clear that the focus is on visibility. Every Massachusetts driver should have a clear view of the road ahead and intersecting roadways, and no cracks in the windshield should obscure it.
If you present your vehicle for inspection and it has a cracked windshield, you will be issued a rejection sticker. You then have 60 days to fix the damage and get your car retested.
How the law is interpreted
These regulations are generally interpreted as making it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield in Massachusetts if the critical viewing area is impeded. Therefore, a police officer can issue a ticket for a cracked windshield on safety grounds. You may also be required to fix the damage within a certain time frame.
Generally, whether a chip or crack hinders your view is left to the discretion of the ticketing officer. However, you can receive a fine for the first and second offenses. The third and any subsequent offenses could result in a license suspension.
If you are currently driving with a rejection sticker after a failed inspection, it does not mean you will not receive a ticket. A police officer can still issue a ticket within the 60-day remediation period, especially if the problem is getting worse and obscuring your critical viewing area.
Getting a replacement windshield
Unlike some states, windshield replacements are not generally offered for free in Massachusetts. However, the state does require insurance companies to offer low-deductible glass replacement coverage, although it is not compulsory for drivers to purchase this.
If you opt for comprehensive coverage, typically, windshield replacement is covered. Generally, you will not have to pay your comprehensive deductible for windshield replacements. Therefore, your windshield replacement will likely cost around $100 out-of-pocket.
Given that getting a replacement windshield is relatively inexpensive, it is better to get it done as soon as cracks start to emerge and before they create a safety issue by obscuring the critical viewing area.
The Impact of Cracked Windshields on Car Accident Claims
A cracked windshield is more than just an inconvenience. The law states that a crack the size of a quarter in your field of vision is a safety risk, and with good reason. If you cannot see the road clearly, you are more likely to be involved in an accident.
Critical structural component
An additional factor that could be easily overlooked is the importance of a car’s windshield as a structural component. The windshield is a crucial part of your car’s structural integrity, and when it is damaged, the entire vehicle is weakened.
Therefore, if you get involved in a car crash, your car may sustain more significant damage, potentially resulting in more serious injuries to all occupants.
Potential for severe injuries
Windshields may be made of safety glass, but when they shatter, they can still cause serious injuries such as:
- Deep lacerations
- Eye injuries
- Neck wounds
- Amputations
Liability for accidents
If you drive around with a severely cracked windshield that affects your view of the road, you could be found to be negligent in a car accident. This could make you financially responsible for the accident, and the other party may sue you for compensation.
By the same token, if you were in an accident involving a vehicle with a cracked windshield, this could strengthen your case that the other party was at fault.
If a cracked windshield was a factor in your car accident, talk to an experienced Massachusetts car crash lawyer to receive tailored legal advice. An attorney can explain how much of an impact your cracked windshield or that of the other party may have on the outcome of your case, and the strongest route to compensation for the losses you have sustained.
Let Sweeney Merrigan Fight Your Cracked Windshield Car Accident Case
Cracked windshields are more than just an annoyance; they are potentially a critical factor in your car accident case. However, do not conclude that you have forfeited your right to pursue compensation because you were driving with a cracked windshield. An experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney can explain your legal options and whether your case has a strong chance of success.
The legal team at Sweeney Merrigan has been fighting for and winning on behalf of clients in Boston and beyond for the last 15 years. Our trial lawyers have secured six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for Massachusetts car accident victims and are ready to hear your story. Schedule a free case review today by calling (774) 310-4648 or filling out our contact form, and we will arrange a consultation soon.