ORLANDO, Fla. – Dale Osteen was merging onto I-4 near Amway Center when he noticed debris on the pavement.
Moments later, a football-sized chunk of concrete crashed down onto his rental car, shattering the windshield and knocking out a console panel attached to the ceiling of the vehicle.
"I just assumed there was some kids throwing things off the overpass," Osteen told News 6. "As I got out, I noticed there was construction work going on. I could still see debris falling."
The state contractor overseeing the I-4 Ultimate construction project, SGL Constructors, took responsibility for the damage and reimbursed Osteen's rental car company $1,909, state records show.
Since the I-4 project began in early 2015, nearly 200 motorists and property owners have filed damage claims.
The contractor's insurance company has accepted responsibility on about 21 percent of the claims, paying out $37,023 to date.
Nineteen claims are currently open.
"Damage claims can occur on major road projects, so it's not unique to I-4," said Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jessica Ottaviano.
The claims are paid by the contractors' insurance companies, Ottaviano said.
No additional tax dollars are used.
In October 2016, Cyrus Pittman reported numerous scratches on his pickup truck that contractors later determined were caused by stucco slurry that fell from a bridge.
He was reimbursed $1,646, state records show.
Another motorist said a massive pothole on I-4 near the Conroy Road Exit caused $2,123 in damage to his tire, rim and suspension.
Some homeowners living near I-4 have filed claims alleging damage to their properties.
During a rainstorm in August 2016, Anna Turner said water runoff from the construction area broke through a temporary barrier, sending water and mud into her carport and home.
"(The contractor) took care of it," said Turner, who was paid $7,757, the largest claim to date.
If you believe your vehicle or property has sustained damage as a result of I-4 construction, the Florida DOT recommends taking photos, filing a police report and obtaining witness statements.
Claim forms and filing instructions can be found here.Â