Terms Used In California Codes > Vehicle Code > Division 7 > Chapter 2 > Article 1 - Definitions

• 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
• judgment: means a final judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction in this or any other state or of the United States against a person as defendant upon a cause of action. See California Vehicle Code 16250
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• 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