Motor Vehicle Legal Terms

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary between states. In general the law, it assumes that a vehicle is being operated with the permission of its owner.

Laws enhancing penalties such as making revocation automatic and targeting social hosts have varying impact on mortality rates. Mandatory education, alcohol treatment, and interlock devices all have minimal effects.

Legal Definitions

State laws govern the legal definitions of motor vehicles. The different definitions of federal law used for matters pertaining to national requirements for fuel efficiency and licensing standards for commercial vehicle drivers serve mainly for administrative purposes and are not applicable to states that determine their own registration classifications. These vehicle classifications determine if a driver requires special licenses to operate certain kinds of vehicles.

The laws of the state define terms like "automobile," "light trucks" and many more. For instance, a light truck is any vehicle with a manufacturer-rated carrying capacity less than 7,500 pounds. This excludes panel delivery trucks and pickup trucks. This includes any vehicle or combination that is specifically designed to transport passengers or property within its own structure. This includes manufactured homes and trailers.

A wheel chair is a machine with wheels, typically used by persons who are physically disabled and are unable to walk around as pedestrians. Mopeds are motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle with fewer than three wheels that are in contact with the ground that is able to travel at a speed of not more than 35 miles per hour.

A pedicab vehicle is one driven by an operator sitting on it. The owner of the vehicle is the person who owns the legal title.

Traffic Laws

Typically, every state has its own set of motor vehicle laws which cover everything from the registration process to insurance requirements. These laws also cover the kinds of vehicles covered by the law. Some of these laws are the same across states, but other laws differ significantly. For instance there are laws that limit the number of people one can carry in the pedicab. There are also laws that prohibit reckless driving on certain types of roads, like parking areas.

If you violate the law, you could be fined and punished. The penalties can vary from having your driver's licence suspended to having to attend the traffic school.

The law governing speed limits on roads is one of the most important laws a state has. In New York for example, the speed limit is the same for commercial vehicles and automobiles.

The law also defines the definition of a "motor vehicle." This covers every description of a carriage or device that is driven by mechanical power and is utilized on a public road for the transportation of persons or property, or for other commercial use. The law excludes trailers coaches, semitrailers, all-terrain and snowmobile vehicles as well as motorized mobility assist devices that are operated by people with disabilities as well as self-propelled corn and hay harvesting machines.

Insurance

A motor vehicle insurance policy is a contract between the insured and the insurer which provides insurance against financial loss on account of the risk of bodily injury or property damage to a third party, arising out of the ownership or operation, maintenance, or the use of a covered automobile. It can also provide protection against physical damage to the insured vehicle. It must contain the name and address of the named insured as in addition to the coverage offered by the policy. It also contains the premium charged as well as the time period during the period that the policy is in force, and the limits of liability. It should also contain an agreement or endorsement that the insurance provided is in conformity with the coverage set out in the policy for injuries to the body or property damage or death and is subject to the provisions of this chapter.

The wording in a motor vehicle policy can be confusing to anyone, and Duncanville law firms will often recommend that individuals review an example policy to understand the terms. One of the most frequent areas of confusion is the definition of "motor vehicle." The phrase appears often in statutes governing the registration of vehicles and financial responsibility laws.

Some examples of coverage provided under a Motor vehicle accident Lawsuits vehicle policy include commercial auto insurance for vehicles used for business, commercial establishments, occupations, or activities that are primarily for profit; auto liability insurance that covers MP and PIP, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). A majority of states require drivers to carry this kind of insurance.

Permissible Use

It is crucial to understand how insurance coverage will work in the event that someone other than the named insured or a family member is driving your car and causes an accident. This concept is referred to as permissive usage and the specifics of your policy might differ however, in general, most large car insurance providers offer this kind of coverage.

However, it is important to remember that the person driving your car must have your permission for you to be held liable for any damage. Permission can be express or implied, and usually does not have to be recorded.

In determining if there is implied consent, courts will look at the relationship of the parties, their prior conduct and use of the vehicle as well as the circumstances surrounding a specific driving event. A court will also look at whether any restrictions were placed on the scope of permissive use and if any minor deviations from the time, location and usage restrictions of the permission would violate of these restrictions.

Be aware that adding a driver to your auto insurance policy will likely increase your premium, as the vehicle becomes more risky to cover. It is essential to consider your options prior to giving your vehicle over to others. Contact Jerry for a no-cost insurance quote and discuss the policy's terms.