(a) As used in this chapter and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 16430), “cause of action” means any cause of action for damage to property in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or for damage in any amount on account of bodily injury to or death of any person resulting from the operation by the defendant or any other person of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state, except a cause of action based upon statutory liability by reason of signing the application of a minor for a driver‘s license.

(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.

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Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 16251

  • cause of action: means any cause of action for damage to property in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or for damage in any amount on account of bodily injury to or death of any person resulting from the operation by the defendant or any other person of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state, except a cause of action based upon statutory liability by reason of signing the application of a minor for a driver's license. See California Vehicle Code 16251
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • driver: is a person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See California Vehicle Code 305
  • Highway: is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. See California Vehicle Code 360
  • motor vehicle: includes a recreational vehicle as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of §. See California Vehicle Code 415
  • Person: includes a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation. See California Vehicle Code 470

(Repealed (in Sec. 36) and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 37. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016. Section operative January 1, 2017, by its own provisions.)