Motor Vehicle Legal Terms

Motor vehicle laws vary greatly from state to state. In general, the law assumes that the vehicle is being operated with the permission of its owner.

The mortality rates are affected by laws that increase penalties that make revocation automatic or target social hosts. All of these measures, such as obligatory education, alcohol treatment and interlock devices have a tiny impact.

Legal Definitions

State laws govern the legal definitions of motor vehicles. The various definitions that are used for national requirements for fuel efficiency and licensing standards for commercial vehicle drivers serve mostly administrative purposes and do not apply to states determining their own registration classifications. The classifications of a vehicle's registration determine whether a driver has to be granted a specific license to operate certain types of vehicles.

The state laws define the terms "automobile," "light truck" and others. For instance, the definition of a light truck comprises every motor vehicle with the capacity of the manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of less than 7,500 pounds. This excludes pickup trucks and panel delivery trucks. This is any vehicle or combination designed to carry passengers or property within its own structure. This includes manufactured homes and trailers.

A wheel chair conveyance is a device equipped with wheels, typically used by persons who are physically disabled and are unable to move around as pedestrians. A moped is a vehicle with only three wheels on the ground, and that can travel at an maximum speed of 35 miles per hour.

A pedal-driven vehicle, is driven by the driver sitting on the top of it. The person who has the legal title to a vehicle is referred to as its owner.

Traffic Laws

Typically, every state has its own set of motor vehicle law that regulate everything from the registration process to the insurance requirements. These statutes also cover the types of vehicles covered by law. While some of these laws are similar across states, others are quite different. For instance there are laws that limit the number of persons you can carry in a pedicab. There are also laws that ban reckless driving on certain types of roads, including parking spaces.

If you are in violation of these laws, you may be punished with a fine and/or a penalty. Penalties could include being unable to drive or having your license suspended, or the requirement to attend traffic school.

The law that governs speed limits on roads is among the most important laws that states have. In New York, for example, it states that the speed limit for a commercial vehicle is similar to that of an automobile.

The law also defines the definition of a "motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle." This includes any description of carriage or other device that is driven by mechanical energy and used on a highway for the transportation of people or property, or for other commercial use. It excludes trailers and semitrailers such as coaches or house trailers or vehicles that only run upon rails or tracks snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicle, motorized mobility assist devices used by people with disabilities, and self-propelled hay harvesting machines and tractors.

Insurance

A motor insurance policy for vehicles is an agreement between the insurer and insured that covers financial losses arising from liability for bodily injury or property damage to a third party that arises out of ownership operating, maintenance, or use of a covered vehicle. It may also provide protection against physical damage to the covered vehicle. It must contain the name and address of the named insured as well as the coverage provided by the policy. It also includes the amount of premium paid, the period for the period that the policy is in force, as well as the limits of responsibility. It should also contain an agreement or a statement that the insurance coverage is provided in conformity with the coverage described therein as respects injuries to the body or death or property damage and is subject to all provisions of this chapter.

Duncanville law firms often recommend that clients read the sample motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle policy to understand the terms. One of the most frequently encountered confusions is the definition of "motor vehicle". This phrase is found in a variety of statutes that regulate vehicle registration and financial responsibility laws.

A few examples of coverage under the motor vehicle policy are commercial auto insurance for vehicles used for business, commercial establishments, occupations, or activities carried on for profit; auto liability insurance that covers MP and PIP as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). A majority of states require drivers to have this type of insurance.

Permissive Use

It is crucial to understand what insurance coverage is available if someone other than the named insured or a family member is driving your vehicle and causes an accident. This is known as permissive usage. The specific terms of your insurance policy may vary, but a majority of major car insurers offer this type of coverage.

It is important to keep in mind that you are responsible for any damages caused by a driver who has your permission. Permission can be express or implied, and it typically does not need to be written down.

In determining if there was implied consent, courts will examine the relationship between the parties, their past conduct and use of the vehicle, as well as the circumstances surrounding a particular driving event. The court will also consider if any restrictions were placed on the scope of permissive use, and if even one minor deviation from time, place, and usage limitations of the original permission would violate the restrictions.

Remember that adding another driver to your car insurance could cause your insurance premium to go up, since it makes the car more risky to insure. Therefore, you must think about your options carefully before lending your car to other people. If you are unsure about whether to include someone on your policy or not, call Jerry to discuss the specifics of your insurance policy and get an estimate for free.