In any action against an owner, bailee of an owner, or personal representative of a decedent on account of liability imposed by Sections 17150, 17154, or 17159 for the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the operator of a vehicle, the operator shall be made a party defendant if service of process can be made in a manner sufficient to secure personal jurisdiction over the operator. Upon recovery of judgment, recourse shall first be had against the property of the operator so served.
Cal. Veh. Code § 17152
Private Owners
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case 21 Cal. 3d 841 - Cooper v. Bray (1978)
Most recently applied in 117 Cal. App. 3d 426 - Burton v. Gardner Motors, Inc. (March 1981)
Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 702.
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.