With the help of several Spanish speakers, we have translated the original document for your convenience and not with the intention of interpreting or enforcing the law. We have also added our own comments in order to make the legal information easier to understand. This translation is not valid for legal purposes.
Article 1. When a minor traffic accident (fender bender) occurs in the public ways of the country, the drivers involved should move the vehicle out of the way, after exchanging the Unique and Final Form that is described in article 4. (Have several forms in your car partially filled).
Article 2. Regarding the previous article, a minor traffic accident is any collision that happens between one or more motor vehicles where damages, produced by the impact, allow the vehicles to be moved out of the way by their drivers as long as no one involved is injured, otherwise article 5 will apply.
Article 3. The “Autoridad de Transito y Transporte Terrestre” (Terrestrial Traffic and Transportation Authority) along with the “Departamento de Operaciones de Transito de la Direccion Nacional de Operaciones de la Policia Nacional” (National Office of Operations, Traffic Operations Department of the National Police) will provide a Unique and Final Form, which will be used by the drivers involved in minor traffic accidents (fender benders), in order to compile all necessary information necessary to determine responsibility.
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Article 4. The drivers of motor vehicles involved in a minor traffic accident (fender bender) will exchange the Unique and Final Form with a carbon copy, which must be carried in their vehicles at all times. The form requests the following information:
1. General information about parties involved (Name, License, ID (Cedula, Passport, Pensionado VISA)
2. The description of the vehicles (Year, Make, Model, License Plate number)
3. Exact address where the accident occurred (Street, City, District, Province).
4. Weather conditions and any special circumstances at the scene of the accident.
5. The approximate time, circumstances (see 4) and the final resting position of the vehicles.
6. If possible, the facts may be supported by photographs, videos or any type of technological tool that can facilitate the description of the accident. (sketches, drawings, etc.)
Within 72 hours of the accident, the drivers or the owners of the vehicles will present the Unique and Final Format to the “Autoridad de Transito y Transporte Terrestre” (Terrestrial Traffic and Transportation Authority) locted at Centro Comercial Los Pueblos at the rear of SuperCentro El Campeon, close to the Nikos café of Los Pueblos. They must also deliver a copy of the form to the respective insurance companies within seventy two hours of the traffic incident.
Article 5. When a traffic accident occurs, where the vehicles involved suffer damages that prevent them from being moved out of the way by their drivers or if the occupants or third parties result with any type of injury, the presence of an inspector from the “Departamento de Operaciones de Transito de la Direccion Nacional de Operaciones de la Policia Nacional”(National Office of Operations, Department of Operation of the National Police) will be necessary. The traffic officer will have to fill out an official traffic accident form to determine liability.
If the parties do not agree on who is responsible for the accident, one of the parties may request the presence of a Traffic Inspector, call 311 even if the vehicles have been moved.
Article 6. The driver’s license of individuals more than seventy years old will be valid only for two years, with the exception of the restrictions for violations disposed by law and by regulations, and a discount of 50% from its cost will apply.
Article 7. The “Organo Ejecutivo” will regulate the present Law within a sixty days period, counting from its promulgation.