Reporting a boating accident in Arizona is essential for ensuring safety and compliance with legal requirements. The correct answer emphasizes that an accident must be reported if there is property damage exceeding $500, if someone is injured, or if a death occurs. This criterion is established by state law to protect all parties involved and to facilitate investigation and insurance processes.
Property damage is a significant factor, as it can indicate the severity of the incident and may have implications for insurance claims. Injury reporting is crucial because it helps to ensure that injured parties receive appropriate medical attention and legal rights are upheld. Additionally, the requirement for reporting in the case of a fatality is essential for public safety and for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Given these factors, the law aims to create a responsible boating environment and ensures that appropriate authorities can respond and take action where necessary. The other options do not encapsulate the comprehensive criteria set forth by Arizona law and therefore do not provide the complete picture for when a boating accident must be reported.