P.R. Laws tit. 9, § 5110
When the operation of a motor vehicle or a trailer causes an accident on public highways, any person who has a claim originated as a result of said accident shall submit a sworn statement on regarding the events of the accident, to the Secretary. The Secretary shall examine said sworn statement and, should it meet the requirements established by regulations, he/she shall enter in the file in which the motor vehicle or trailer is registered, a brief statement of the claim. This statement shall have the same effect as a lien on the vehicle or trailer, as the case shall be, for a term of one (1) year. During that time, the Secretary may not authorize any transfer whatsoever of said motor vehicle. The Secretary shall be bound to provide in writing to the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer, and to any interested party who so requests it, any information on the existence or nonexistence of said type of lien on any specific motor vehicle or trailer.
The Secretary shall take notice of any judicial order affecting the disposal of the motor vehicle or trailer, as the case may be, and shall authorize or reject the transfer of such a vehicle or trailer pursuant to the terms of the judicial order.
Any person affected by the annotation suspending for one (1) year any transfer of the motor vehicle or trailer, as ordered by the Secretary, may free the vehicle or trailer from the effects thereof, by posting bond for the amount fixed by the Secretary according to the estimated market value of the vehicle, as provided through regulations.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 4.10; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 4, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.