Opinion ID: 1877968
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Heading: vehicle policies coverage

Text: Milbank and Tri-State contend that the vehicle policies did not apply because the trucks involved were not being used for transportation purposes at the time of the accident and therefore the loss was not caused by the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle as a vehicle. We have said that in order for use of a vehicle to result in liability on the part of the insurance carrier, there must be a causal relationship between the use of the vehicle and the accident. The use must be such use as arises out of the inherent nature of the automobile. Norgaard v. Nodak Mutual Insurance Company, 201 N.W.2d 871, 874 (N.D.1972). We found the requisite causal relationship lacking in Norgaard where the loss occurred by use of the vehicle as a bench rest for a rifle, not from use of the vehicle for transportation. But, it is obvious here that the mud could not have been deposited on the roadway without use of the trucks. The causal connection is present and the trial court correctly held that the Tri-State and Milbank vehicle policies provided coverage for injuries caused by that vehicle-related activity.