Motor Vehicle Legal Terms

The laws for motor vehicles vary from state to state. In general, the laws assume that the vehicle was operated by the owner's permission.

Laws that increase penalties such as making revocation automatic and targeting social hosts have mixed impacts on mortality rates. Mandatory education, treatment for alcohol, and interlock devices have little effect.

Legal Definitions

State laws govern motor vehicle legal terms. The federal definitions for national standards for fuel economy and licensing requirements for commercial vehicle drivers are primarily administrative and are not applicable when states determine their own classifications for registration. These classifications of vehicles determine if a driver needs an additional license to operate certain kinds of vehicles.

These laws define terms like "automobile," "light trucks" and other terms. For instance, a light truck is any motor vehicle that has a capacity of carrying less than 7,500 pounds. This excludes panel delivery vehicles and pickup trucks. Also, it excludes any vehicle or combination of vehicles that is specifically designed to transport passengers or property within its own structure, including trailers and manufactured homes.

A wheel chair conveyance is a device with wheels, typically used by persons who, due to physical disability cannot move about as pedestrians. A moped is a vehicle with at most three wheels on the ground and that can travel at maximum speed of 35 miles per hour.

A pedicab is a motorized vehicle which is driven by a driver who is sitting on it. A person who owns the legal title to a car is called the owner of the vehicle.

Traffic Laws

Each state has its own set of motor vehicle laws which cover everything from registration procedure to the insurance requirements. These statutes also address the kinds of vehicles protected by law. Some of these laws are identical across states, however others differ greatly. For instance, there are laws that restrict the number of passengers you can carry in a pedicab. There are laws that ban reckless driving on certain types of roads, including parking lot.

If you break these laws, you could be fined and punished. The penalties could vary from being able to have your driver's license suspended and being required to attend traffic school.

One of the most important laws a state has regarding vehicles is the speed limits that are set on roadways. In New York, for example, it states that the speed limit for commercial vehicle is the same as for an automobile.

The law also sets out the definition of the term "motor vehicle." This covers every description of a carriage or device that is powered by mechanical energy and used on a highway for the transportation of people or property, or for other commercial use. It excludes semitrailers and trailers, coaches or house trailers as well as vehicles that operate on tracks or rails snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicle, motorized mobility assist devices operated by a person with disabilities, and self-propelled corn or hay harvesting machines and tractor.

Insurance

A motor vehicle insurance policy is a contract that protects the insurer from financial loss in the event of injuries to the body or death or property damage caused by a third party that results from the operating, ownership, maintenance or use of an insured vehicle. It can also offer protection against physical damage to the insured vehicle itself. It must include the name and address the named insured as well as the coverage provided by the policy. It also contains the premium charged and the time for the period that the policy is in effect, as well as the limits of responsibility. It must also contain an agreement or endorsement stating that the insurance coverage is in line with the coverage provided for bodily injuries or death, or property damage.

The language used in a motor vehicle policy can be confusing for the average person, and Duncanville law firms typically recommend that a person read an example policy to be aware of the terms. One of the biggest areas of confusion is the definition of the term "motor vehicle accident lawyers, Evolv E L U official blog, vehicle." The phrase is used often in statutes that govern vehicle registration and financial responsibility laws.

Some examples of coverage provided under the motor vehicle policy are commercial auto insurance that covers vehicles used for commercial establishments, Motor Vehicle accident lawyers business occupations, or activities that are conducted for profit; automobile liability insurance which includes PIP and MP; and underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). A majority of states require drivers to have this kind of insurance.

Permitted Use

If someone other than a named insured or a family member drives your vehicle and is involved in getting into an accident, it is crucial to know the process of insurance coverage in these circumstances. This is known as permissive usage. The specifics of your insurance policy may vary, but a majority of major car insurers offer this type coverage.

However, it is crucial to remember that the person driving your vehicle must have your permission to be held responsible for any damages. Permission may be granted in the form of a written statement or implied, and is not required to be written down.

To determine if there is implied consent, courts will look at the relationship of the parties, their previous conduct and use of the vehicle, as well as the circumstances surrounding a particular driving event. A judge will also consider whether there were any restrictions placed on the permissive usage, and if even a minor deviation from the time, location and use restrictions of the permission would be in violation of these limitations.

Remember that adding the driver to your auto insurance policy will likely increase your premium, because the vehicle becomes more difficult to insure. Therefore, it is important to think about your options carefully before lending your car to other people. If you're not sure whether you should add someone to your policy or not, contact Jerry to discuss the specific terms of your insurance policy and get a free quote.