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Motor Vehicle Legal Terms

The laws that govern motor vehicle accidents vehicles vary widely from one state to the next. In general the law assumes the vehicle is being operated with the permission of its owner.

Laws that increase penalties and making revocation automatic, or 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 legal terms for Motor Vehicle accident attorney vehicles. The different definitions of federal law used in connection with national requirements for fuel economy and licensing standards for commercial vehicle drivers serve mostly for administrative purposes, and are not applicable to states that decide their own registration classifications. These classifications of vehicles determine whether a driver requires an additional license to operate certain kinds of vehicles.

These laws define terms like "automobile," "light trucks" and others. For instance, a light truck is any vehicle with a capacity of carrying less than 7,500 pounds. This excludes panel delivery vehicles 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 device with wheels, typically used by people who, due to physical disability are unable to walk as pedestrians. Mopeds are motor vehicle with fewer than three wheels that are in contact with the ground that travels at speeds of no more than 35 miles per hour.

A pedicab, also known as pedal-driven vehicle, is one that is driven by a driver sitting on the top. A person who holds the legal title to a vehicle is known as its owner.

Traffic Laws

Each state has its own set motor vehicle laws that cover everything from registration procedure to insurance requirements. They also regulate the kinds of vehicles covered by the law. Some of these laws are similar across states, while others are different. For instance there are laws that limit the number of persons a person can transport in the pedicab. There are laws that ban reckless driving on certain kinds of roads, like parking spaces.

If you violate these laws, you could be punished with a fine and/or a penalty. The penalties could range from having your driver's licence suspended and being required to attend traffic school.

One of the most important laws in a state pertaining to vehicles is the one that governs the speed limits placed on roads. In New York for example, the speed limit is the same for commercial vehicles as well as automobiles.

The law also sets out the definition of a "motor vehicle." This covers every description of a carriage or contrivance that is propelled by mechanical power and used on a public highway for the transportation of persons or property or for other commercial use. It excludes semitrailers and trailers as well as house trailers or coaches or vehicles that only run upon rails or tracks snowmobiles, all-terrain and snowmobiles as well as motorized mobility aids operated by a person with disabilities and self-propelled hay harvesting machines and tractor.

Insurance

A motor vehicle policy is a contract that protects the insurer against financial loss due to liability for bodily harm or death or property damage caused by a third party that results from the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of an insured vehicle. It can also protect against physical damage to the vehicle. It must include the name and address of the named insured as along with the coverage provided by the policy. It also contains the amount of the premium and the time frame for the duration of the policy in effect, as well as the responsibility limits. It must also contain an agreement or endorsement that the insurance coverage is provided in accordance with the coverage specified therein as respects bodily injury or death or property damage and is subject to all the provisions of this chapter.

The language in the motor vehicle policy may be confusing to anyone, and Duncanville law firms will often recommend that an individual review an example policy to know the terms. One of the most frequent areas of confusion is the definition of "motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicle." The phrase appears often in statutes governing the registration of vehicles and financial responsibility laws.

A few examples of coverage under the motor vehicle policy are commercial automobile insurance for vehicles used in connection with commercial establishments, business activities, employment or occupations that are conducted for profit; auto liability insurance that covers MP and PIP, and uninsured motorist and underinsured driver coverage (UM/UIM). This kind of insurance is required by a number of states.

Permissive Use

It is essential to know how insurance coverage will work if someone other than the named insured or a family member drives your car and causes an accident. This is known as permissive usage. The specifics of your insurance policy may vary, but most large insurance companies offer this type of coverage.

It is important to remember that you are responsible for any damage caused by a driver who has your permission. Permission can be implied or express but does not necessarily have to be written.

In determining whether there is implied permission, courts examine the relationship between the parties; their past conduct and usage of the vehicle, as well as the circumstances surrounding the particular driving incident in question. A court will also look at the extent to which restrictions were imposed on the scope of permissive use, and if even a minor deviation from the time, place and use limitations of the original permission would be in violation of these restrictions.

Be aware that adding a driver to your auto insurance policy will raise your premiums, as the vehicle becomes more difficult to cover. It is therefore important to consider your options carefully prior to lending your vehicle to anyone else. Contact Jerry for a no-cost insurance quote and discuss your policy's terms.