Special Laws That Apply To Certain Types Of Vehicles Article

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Special Laws That Apply To Certain Types of Vehicles

Author: Manuel Salvacion

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Special laws in California regulate the use of specific types of vehicles on roadways. Los Angeles vehicular accident attorneys are well versed with the special laws that they take into considerations during accidents.

A. Trucks
Trucks sizes and the number of wheels determine the type of special rule that will apply to truck operators. In certain stretches of the California highways, especially in Los Angeles, large trucks are prohibited or limited to particular lanes. Tractor-trailer trucks are governed by specific regulations regarding its markings and how its headlights and taillights should work.

Commercial trucks are subject to certain inspection standards. Drivers of commercial trucks obey federal regulations on the amount of time an operator can drive without resting. Operators of commercial trucks maintain special licenses and undergo stringent tests before being allowed to operate.

In cases of accidents when there are violations of statutes or regulations, these special laws may help prove a case. If a truck driver is injured in an accident following all these rules, it may help the truck driver in pursuing a case for damages against another driver.

Under the California law, a trucking company will almost always be held liable for the negligent act of the truck driver in an accident.

B. Taxicabs
Taxicabs are expected to observe the highest duty of care under the law. Considered as ‘common carriers’, they are expected to exercise more caution than other vehicle drivers and are always liable even for the slightest act of negligence. Special regulations orders taxicabs to provide safe passage to passengers. A taxicab is not allowed to stop to pick up or let a passenger out in the middle of the road and cannot start until the passenger is safely seated and buckled.

Under the rules of law, a taxicab company will almost always be held responsible for the negligent act of the taxicab driver in time of an accident.

C. Buses
Buses are also considered common carriers; thus, they owe their passengers the highest duty of care under the law. Under the special law, a bus operator has a duty to allow a passenger a safe opportunity to get on the bus and to get to their seat or place of standing before moving the bus forward. Further, the bus operator must not close the doors on a passenger when the passenger is entering or leaving the bus.

Bus companies are almost always held liable for the negligent act of the bus operators in accident cases.

Like truck drivers, bus drivers must have special licenses and training to drive a bus. Buses are extraordinarily complicated to drive and inexperienced bus drivers frequently cause accidents.

C. Motorcycles
Motorcyclists follow the same rules as other motor vehicle drivers in California. Motorcyclists must have special licenses and pass skills tests before they can be allowed to travel. Under the law, motorcyclists are required to wear helmet and use headlights that meet specific standards.

D. Bicycles
A bicyclist is considered a “motor vehicle” when a violation is made against the Vehicle Code statute. Bicyclists have the same duty as motor vehicle drivers to not speed, stop for stop signs, stop for red lights, not make turns without signaling, etc.

Under special rules, bicyclists must stay close to the curb when traveling slower than the speed of traffic. They must use bicycle lanes, use light, and reflectors when driven at night. Any child under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Bicyclists also receive protection under the law. Motor vehicles must stay out of a bicycle lane when the lane is clear and when the vehicle is making a turn.

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Special Laws That Apply To Certain Types of Vehicles