Accidents
The Town of Indian River Shores was incorporated in 1953 as one of five municipalities within Indian River County (IRC). Its law enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian River Shores Public Safety Department — which includes a Police Division, Fire and EMS operations under one roof.
IRC’s police departments typically investigate between 65-70% of the county’s traffic crashes. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2018, 44% of all IRC traffic accidents resulted in injuries (with 739 persons wounded). In the first 6 months of 2019, 47% of all county crashes caused injury (to a total of 413 individuals).
With multiple offices on the Treasure Coast, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd has the local experience and availability to give each accident victim and their family the support and advice they need. Significantly, no money is required up front as we are compensated after settlement has been achieved.
As a gesture of public service, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is proud to share this police reports resource page with our neighbors and guests. It is intended to give you specific steps for obtaining your Indian River Shores police report while providing clarity to traffic accident laws in Florida.
Florida’s Sunshine Law was adopted in 1967 to protect the rights of its citizens while improving public trust ‘through willing transparency.’ Depending on the locality of the accident — supervision and care of police report documents are in the hands of each law enforcement agency’s records custodian. However, procedures for accessing your report vary from town to city and county, and from the police to sheriffs to highway patrol.
The procedures described in Florida Statute Section 316.066 outline the circumstances and manner in which traffic reports must be handled. This includes documentation as well as care and control of the police reports. Next, we describe the 2-step process required of these reports as they move from their initial confidential status to open public records.
Confidential Police Reports – First 60 Days
Florida has a 60-day confidentiality timeline for crash police reports. It begins once an Indian River Shores police report has been submitted by the investigating officer. This custodial measure protects the privacy rights of ‘exempt parties,’ allowing them time to assess the facts and determine all implications of the report.
This exemption is limited to the persons directly involved in the accident, and their lawyers and insurance companies; as well as certified media. According to the statute, a personal request for a copy of the police report requires the valid photo identification of an individual listed on the document. In most instances, parties who are personally involved are not charged a fee for one copy of their report.
In keeping with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), an affidavit may also be required as proof of exemption, at the clerk’s discretion. These statements must include the promise that requested documents will not be used to solicit crash victims or be disclosed to any 3rd-party with this same intention. The FLHSMV provides an online sworn statement form you may download for submitting online or by mail. When your request is made in-person the clerk will have a form.
Public Record – After 60 Days
Once the 60 days of confidentiality have passed, the police report officially becomes a ‘public record.’ As such, it may be acquired by any party upon payment of the statutorily required fee of up to $10.00 per report. Public record requests for police reports do not require photo IDs or sworn statements. They may be accessed online at the new Florida Crash Portal for an additional $2.00 transaction fee.
Indian River Shores Public Safety Department, Police Division, has jurisdiction over the town. At the agency, there is no fee for a single copy police report for involved parties. You may request your document in person, by mail, or fax. Contact details for requesting your traffic crash report are listed below:
Public Safety Department, Police Division
Town of Indian River Shores
Attn: Records Custodian
6001 N Highway A1A
Indian River Shores, FL 32963
Phone: 772-231-2451, option 0, ask for police records
Fax: 772-231-2444
Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Days: Monday – Friday
Closed: Holidays
Should your accident occur on the 8-mile stretch of Highway A1A running along the eastern border of Indian River Shores, the Florida Highway Patrol would have purview.
Within the 60-day confidential timeline, you may acquire a crash report copy in person at the following location. After 60 days have passed, the FHP report is also now a public record and may be purchased online at the Florida Crash Portal.
Florida Highway Patrol
2929 N 25th Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: (850) 617-3416, option #1
If injuries have been sustained in a traffic accident within the Town of Indian River Shores, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is right here for you. Filing a claim with HTL&L in your corner can make a world of difference in your case from start to finish because we take on the heavy load and keep you in the loop at all times.
With so much on your plate — from medical treatment, rehabilitation, and transportation challenges to loss of wages, piles of paperwork, and insurance adjusters trying to minimize your claim — you could certainly use some help!
Now is not the time to hesitate! Please call (772) 794-7774 to speak to our Vero Beach accident attorney.
Complete our confidential evaluation form to have your case reviewed for free by our attorneys and staff.
An attorney or intake specialist will contact you directly to discuss your case at no cost to you.
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