Traffic Accidents

1. Accidents with material damages only:
   
   • Wait at the location where the accident took place until the proper authority arrives.
   • If your vehicle has insurance, notify your insurance company.
   • If there are only superficial material damages, both parties may come to an agreement regarding payment of damages.
   • If agreement cannot be reached or if damages are high the case can be referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
   • If the accident occurred on a federal highway and the road suffered damages, the case is turned over to the Federal District Attorney’s office.
2. Accidents in which there are substantial material damages or injured people:
   
   • The involved parties may reach an agreement regarding damages, in relation to injuries, the case may be sent to the D.A., depending on the seriousness of these. In order to make any claims for expenses caused by the accidents, the injured party must have a medical certificate, hospitalization receipts and has to be under medical care. The responsible will remain under the D.A.’s custody.
3. Accidents with injured persons only:
   
   • Prosecution for causing slight injuries in an accident is possible only if the victim’s representatives make a complaint. Even then, the case may be turned over to the District Attorney, depending on the seriousness of such injuries.
   • The responsible party in a traffic accident that was turned over to the District Attorney can regain his provisional release when he guarantees to pay all costs and damages and certifies that he will not abandon responsibility for the injuries, provided that he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
   • In any accident, the responsible party’s vehicle is impounded until payment of damages, citations, as well as as towing services has been paid. Once these requirements are met, the vehicle will be returned to its legal owner.