§2. Federal district court jurisdiction for highway accident actions against interstate motor carriers
This section establishes original jurisdiction in district courts for civil actions alleging bodily harm or loss of life involving one or more commercial motor vehicles (as defined in 49 U.S.C. §31101) operating in interstate commerce on public roads, where the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million (exclusive of interest and costs) and minimal diversity exists (i.e., any plaintiff is a citizen of a different state from any defendant; any plaintiff is a foreign state or citizen/subject thereof and any defendant is a U.S. citizen; or any plaintiff is a U.S. citizen and any defendant is a foreign state or citizen/subject thereof). It further directs that plaintiffs' citizenship be determined as of the complaint filing date (or service of an amended pleading indicating jurisdiction if initially lacking) and deems unincorporated associations citizens of the state of their principal place of business and the state under whose laws they are organized.