AUTOMOBILE - Black's Law Dictionary

What is AUTOMOBILE? Definition of AUTOMOBILE in Black's Law Dictionary

A vehicle for the transportation of persons or property on the highway, carrying its own motive power and not operated upon fixed tracks. Blashfield's Cyclopedia of Automobile Law, vol. 1, c. 1, § 2.

A wheeled vehicle propelled by gasoline, steam, or electricity. Stanley v. Tomlin, 143 Va. 187, 129 S.E. 379, 382. A self-propelled vehicle suitable for use on a street or roadway. State v. Freels, 136 Tenn. 483, 190 S.W. 454; A vehicle designed mainly for the transportation of persons, equipped with an internal combustion, hydrocarbon vapor engine furnishing the motive power and forming a structural portion thereof. American-La France Fire Engine Co. v. Riordan, C.C.A.N.Y., 6 F.2d 964, 967. It is generic term, covering both trucks and passenger cars. Wiese v. Polzer, 212 Wis. 337, 248 N.W. 113, 116.

For "Auto Stage," "Family Automobile Doctrine," "Family Car Doctrine," and "Family Purpose Doctrine," see those titles.

Etymologically, the term might include any self-propelled vehicle, as an electric street car, or a motor boat, but in popular and legal usage it is confined to a vehicle for the transportation of persons or property on terrestrial highways, carrying its own motive power and not operated upon fixed tracks. Bethlehem Motors Corporation v. Flynt, 178 N.C. 399, 100 S.E. 693, 694. Synonymous with "motor vehicle." State v. Ferry Line Auto Bus Co., 99 Wash. 64, 168 P. 893, 894. "Car" as substitute or synonym. Monroe's Adm'r v. Federal Union Life Ins. Co., 251 Ky. 570, 65
S.W.2d 680, 681.

Taxicabs included. Navy Gas & Supply Co. v. Schoech, 105 Colo. 374, 98 P.2d 860, 864, 126 A.L.R. 1225. Trolley vehicles or trolley busses excluded. City of Dayton v. Lie Brosse, 62 Ohio St. 232, 23 N.E.2d 647, 650.

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