Q COSTARICA — Reducing traffic congestion with your mobile phone in the event of a collision is indeed possible.
Given that the vast majority of collisions result solely in vehicle damage, you can use your mobile phone to record a video of the vehicles involved, without waiting for a traffic official (transito) to arrive.
This method doesn’t apply if someone involved in the collision doesn’t have a mobile phone or if there are injuries or a deceased.
Waiting for a transito to arrive at the scene can waste hours of your life over a couple of scratched cars.
These days, a doctor can perform open-heart surgery remotely, following the instructions of an expert.
So there’s no reason not to use video footage to film the vehicles involved in a collision, without paralyzing the city for hours waiting for a traffic officer to arrive.
In Costa Rica, if there is only property damage, it is not necessary to report the incident to emergency services or a transito if both parties agree to use the Pacto Amistoso (Amicable Settlement Agreement).
In addition to the videos of the vehicles, the damage, and the overall scene, it is prudent to exchange personal information with the other driver (full name, ID number, phone number, and address). Note the date, time, and exact location of the accident. Also, get the contact information of any potential witnesses (names and contact details).
This information should not be considered legal advice.