Pennsylvania § 5503 - Accident reports.
Full text of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5503 — Accident reports., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5503. Accident reports.
(a) Duty to file.--In case of a watercraft accident on the waters of this Commonwealth, the operator of each watercraft involved in the accident shall submit a written accident report to the commission within the time prescribed and containing such information as may be required by regulation. If an operator of a watercraft is physically incapable, as a result of the accident, of making a report, the report shall be made by the owner of the watercraft or the investigating official, in that order. The investigating official will only sign this report when the others are not available.
(b) Confidentiality.--All reports of watercraft accidents shall be considered privileged and shall be filed without prejudice to the person filing the report. The reports shall be for the information of the commission and shall not be open for public inspection except as provided in this section.
(c) Admissibility in evidence.--The fact that the reports have been made shall be admissible in evidence only to prove compliance with the requirements of this section. No report or any part thereof or any statement contained therein shall be admissible in evidence for any other purposes in any civil or criminal trial arising out of the accident.
(d) Furnishing abstracts.--The commission shall, upon request, furnish any person a certified abstract of the accident report. The abstract shall be limited to the date, time, location, weather conditions, names and addresses of the operators, passengers and witnesses and description of the watercraft involved in the accident.
(e) Penalties.--Any person who fails to file a completed accident report required by this section commits a summary offense of the second degree. Any person who files a report beyond the time limits prescribed by regulation or without providing all the material information required by regulation commits a summary offense of the third degree.
(Nov. 3, 1999, P.L.447, No.41, eff. Jan. 1, 2000)
1999 Amendment. Act 41 amended subsec. (e).
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania § 5503
What does Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5503 cover?
Section 5503 ("Accident reports.") is part of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the codified statutory law of Pennsylvania. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Pennsylvania § 5503?
A common citation format is "Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5503" (Pennsylvania). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Pennsylvania law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Pennsylvania official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
How does Pennsylvania § 5503 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.