Source: http://dccode.elaws.us/code?no=50-1301.07
Timestamp: 2020-01-29 21:15:04
Document Index: 33694331

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 50', '§ 13', '§ 7', '§ 4', '§ 40', '§ 40']

§ 50-1301.07. Service of process on nonresident.
(a) The operation by a nonresident or by his agent of a motor vehicle on any public highway of the District of Columbia shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by such nonresident of the Mayor or his successor in office to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceedings against such nonresident growing out of any accident or collision in which said nonresident or his agent may be involved while operating a motor vehicle on any such public highway, and said operation shall be a signification of his agreement that any such process against him, which is so served, shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon him personally in the District of Columbia. Service of such process shall be made by leaving a copy of the process with a fee of $2 in the hands of the Mayor or in his office, and such service shall be sufficient service upon the said nonresident; provided, that the plaintiff in such action shall first file in the court in which said action is commenced an undertaking in form and amount, and with 1 or more sureties, approved by said court, to reimburse the defendant, on the failure of the plaintiff to prevail in the action, for the expenses necessarily incurred by the defendant, including a reasonable attorney's fee in an amount to be fixed by the said court in defending the action in the District of Columbia, except that nothing contained in this proviso shall be construed to require the United States or the District of Columbia to file the undertaking hereby required; and provided further, that notice of such service and a copy of the process are forthwith sent by registered mail by the plaintiff, or his attorney, to the defendant, and the defendant's return receipt appended to the writ and entered with the declaration, or such notice of such service and a copy of the process may be served upon the defendant in the manner provided by § 13-108. The court in which the action is pending may order such continuances as may be necessary to afford the defendant a reasonable opportunity to defend the action, and no judgment by default in any such action shall be granted until at least 20 days shall have elapsed after service upon the defendant, as hereinabove provided, of a copy of the process and notice of service of said process upon the Mayor.
(1) The term "operation" as used in connection with a motor vehicle includes any use as well as any operation of such vehicle.
(2) The term "nonresident" shall include any person who is not a resident of the District of Columbia and who was the owner or operator of a motor vehicle at the time such vehicle was involved in an accident or collision in the District of Columbia, and includes any such person who was a resident of the District of Columbia at the time such motor vehicle was involved in such accident or collision but who subsequently became a nonresident of the District of Columbia and is a nonresident thereof at the time process is sought to be served on him as a result of such accident or collision.
(May 25, 1954, 68 Stat. 123, ch. 222, § 7; Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 954, Pub. L. 85-792, § 4.)
1981 Ed., § 40-407.
1973 Ed., § 40-423.