Motor Vehicle Legal Terms

The laws that govern motor vehicles vary from one state to the next. In general, laws assume that the vehicle was operated with the owner's consent.

Laws that increase penalties such as making revocation automatic and the targeting of social hosts have mixed effects on mortality rates. Mandatory education, treatment for alcohol, and interlock devices all have minimal effects.

Legal Definitions

The laws that govern concord motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle legal terms are formulated and decided at the state level. The different definitions of federal law used in connection with national requirements for fuel efficiency and licensing standards for commercial vehicle drivers serve mostly administrative purposes and do not apply to states that determine their own registration classifications. These classifications for vehicle registrations determine whether a driver has to obtain a special license to operate certain types of vehicles.

The state laws define the terms "automobile," "light truck" and others. For instance, a light truck is any williamsport motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle that has a capacity of carrying less than 7,500 pounds. This excludes pickup trucks as well as panel delivery trucks. This is any vehicle or combination that is specifically designed to transport passengers or property within its own structure. This includes manufactured homes and trailers.

Wheel chairs are a vehicle equipped with wheels and is used by people who physically disabled and are unable to walk. 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 pedicab, also known as a pedal-driven vehicle, is one that is driven by the person who sits on the top. The owner of a vehicle is the person who has the legal title.

Traffic Laws

Each state has its own set of motor vehicle laws that cover everything from registration process to insurance requirements. They also regulate the types of vehicles covered by law. Some of these laws are identical across states, however others are different. There are laws that restrict the number of people that can be transported in a pedicab. There are also laws that prohibit reckless driving on certain kinds of roads, for instance parking spaces.

A person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of these rules could be punished with fines and penalties for violating these laws. Penalties could include having your license revoked or being required to attend traffic school.

The law that governs speed limits on roads is one of the most important laws a state has. In New York, for example it stipulates that the speed limit for commercial vehicle is the same as that of an automobile.

The law also defines the definition of the term "motor vehicle." This covers every description of carriage or other device that is driven by mechanical power and employed on a public highway for the transportation of persons or property, or for other commercial purpose. It does not include trailers and semitrailers and coaches, house trailers or coach trailers, vehicles that run only upon rails or tracks snowmobiles, all-terrain and snowmobiles as well as motorized mobility aids operated by a person with a disability and self-propelled hay harvesting or corn harvesting machines and tractor.

Insurance

A motor vehicle insurance policy is an agreement between the insurer and insured which provides insurance against financial losses arising from the risk of bodily injury or death, property damage to a third party arising out of the ownership and operation, maintenance or use of a covered vehicle. It may also protect physical damage to the vehicle. It must mention the name and address of the insured named and the amount of coverage offered by the policy, the amount that is charged, the period of its effectiveness, and the limits of liability. It must also contain an endorsement or agreement stating that the insurance is in accordance with coverage specified as to bodily injury, death or property damage.

The language of the motor vehicle policy may be confusing to the average person. Duncanville law firms often recommend that an individual review the sample policy to understand the terms. One of the biggest 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 under the motor vehicle policy are commercial automobile insurance for vehicles used for commercial establishments, business activities, employment or occupations which are carried out for profit auto liability insurance that covers PIP and MP; and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). This kind of insurance is required by a number of states.

Permitted Use

If someone other than the named insured or family member is driving your car and gets into an accident, it's crucial to know the process of insurance coverage in these situations. This is referred to as permissive usage and the specific terms of your policy can vary however, in general, most large car insurance providers offer this type of insurance.

It is crucial to remember that you are accountable for any damage caused by a driver with your permission. Permission can be express or implied, and it generally does not have to be written down.

In determining if there was implied consent, courts examine the relationship between the parties, their previous behavior and the use of the vehicle as well as the circumstances surrounding a specific driving event. A court will also examine whether any restrictions were imposed on the scope of permissive usage and if even minor deviations from the time, location and usage restrictions of the initial permission would be in violation of these limitations.

Be aware that adding a driver to your insurance will cause your insurance premium to go up since it makes the vehicle more risky to insure. It is essential to think about your options before lending your car to others. If you're unsure whether to include someone on your policy or not, contact Jerry to discuss the specific terms of your insurance policy and get an estimate for free.