The Motor Vehicle Act lays out the rules of the road for drivers. If you have had a vehicle accident, several of the sections of the act deal directly with personal injury claims. You are less likely to be responsible for fault as a victim if you follow the rules of the MVA.Below are three important facets of the Motor Vehicle Act:
Having Proper Licensing
It is important a person holds the correct licensing for the vehicle they operate. You must have a class 5, 6, 7, or 8 to operate an ATV or trike. You can also drive a car, van, motor home, truck or utility vehicle with a class 5 or 6 license. If you hold class 7 or 8, the only additional vehicle you can operate is a motorcycle. Licensing requirements are different with commercial vehicles. This is an important part of licensing for drivers when it comes to open source driving services; think Uber. Licensing for your family or work vehicle are not going to work if you turn your vehicle into a commercial, for hire ride. It is an offense, if you are not holding the correct licensing for the vehicle you drive.
Driver Duty At An Accident
As a driver involved in an accident there are two different procedures to follow, dependent on where the accident happened. Under the MVA, if you are involved in an accident with another moving vehicle it is your duty to remain at the scene, give reasonable assistance and provide your contact information to an injured party, the other driver and all witnesses. You also have a duty as a driver, if you had an accident involving a parked vehicle or someone’s property. You must leave a note with your contact information in an obvious place.
Use of An Electronic Device While Driving
Laws must follow close to keep up with today’s technology. Since 2010 the MVA has prohibited drivers from operating a vehicle and electronic devices simultaneously. Distracted driving fines have doubled since the middle of 2016, penalty points for drivers has increased from 3 to 4. You do not have to be communicating to be breaking the law. Checking your GPS, changing songs or having your device in a position to be used at all while driving falls under distracted driving laws. It may not carry the same penalty but distraction does affect the fault you are assigned in a personal injury claim. If you have been hurt in an accident for no fault of yours, you are entitled to seek compensation with the help of personal injury lawyer in Huntsville.