California Codes
Cal. Vehicle Code § 17001 (2026)
✓ current as of May 2026
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A public entity is liable for death or injury to person or property proximately caused by a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of any motor vehicle by an employee of the public entity acting within the scope of his employment.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 39
cases (9 in the last 5 years), 1961–2025 · leading case: Thomas v. City of Richmond, 892 P.2d 1185 (Cal. 1995).
Thomas v. City of Richmond, 892 P.2d 1185 (Cal. 1995). “Vehicle Code section 17001 and Government Code section 845.”
Ladd v. Cnty. of San Mateo, 911 P.2d 496 (Cal. 1996). “) The court held: "Vehicle Code section 17001 does not apply in this case where the motor vehicle was used as a method to fight a fire.”
Varshock v. Dep't of Forestry, 194 Cal. App. 4th 635 (Cal. Ct. App. 2011). “4 for an injury that results from the entity’s or its employee’s act or omission while responding to or combating a fire, would be liable under Vehicle Code section 17001 if the injury results from the tortious operation of a motor vehicle.”
Nestle v. City of Santa Monica, 496 P.2d 480 (Cal. 1972). “, Vehicle Code Section 17001 et seq. [ expressly declaring that a public entity is liable for death or injury caused by negligent operation of a motor vehicle by an employee] and Penal Code Section 4900 [ expressly authorizing claims against the State for pecuniary injuries…”
Lewis v. Cnty. of Sacramento, 2001 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 9188 (Cal. Ct. App. 2001). “” (Veh. Code, § 17001; further section references are to the Vehicle Code unless otherwise specified.”
Lopez v. S. California Rapid Transit Dist., 710 P.2d 907 (Cal. 1985). “) Edward Duarte was injured by a person escaping arrest in a stolen police car with other police cars in high speed pursuit. (100 Cal.App.2d at pp.”
Ramirez v. City of Gardena, 422 P.3d 1022 (Cal. 2018). “) Vehicle Code section 17001 creates a statutory exception to public entities' general tort immunity: "A public entity is liable for death or injury to person or property proximately caused by a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of any motor vehicle by an…”
Stark v. City of Los Angeles, 168 Cal. App. 3d 276 (Cal. Ct. App. 1985). “A public entity is liable for injuries proximately caused by negligent acts or omissions in the operation of any motor vehicle by an employee of the public entity, acting within the scope of employment.”
Hooper v. City of Chula Vista, 212 Cal. App. 3d 442 (Cal. Ct. App. 1989). “At the moment the officers, who had alighted from their police car to approach the vehicle on foot, attempted to approach its driver, the vehicle sped away and collided with plaintiff.”
Reenders v. City of Ontario, 68 Cal. App. 3d 1045 (Cal. Ct. App. 1977). “152), and so far as the problem with which we are concerned in the present case, the provisions of present Vehicle Code section 17001 are substantially the same as those of former section 400.”
Brummett v. Cnty. of Sacramento, 582 P.2d 952 (Cal. 1978). “, Vehicle Code section 17001, et seq. . . .”
Green v. City of Livermore, 117 Cal. App. 3d 82 (Cal. Ct. App. 1981). “654); 2) Vehicle Code section 17001, which holds a public entity financially accountable for its employees’ torts committed with a motor vehicle during the course and scope of their employment (pp.”
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