Accidents
The City of Okeechobee is not just the county seat, it is the only municipality within the 769 square miles that make up Okeechobee County. The city’s residents (5,911 as of July 1, 2019) occupy 4.07 square miles of county land, while the City of Okeechobee Police Department investigates an average of 25% of all traffic accidents occurring in Okeechobee County.
Since no-fault insurance is mandatory in Florida for every vehicle on the road, insurance adjusters have their hands full. Unfortunately, many claims are routinely denied or minimized. Without legal advice, an accident victim can easily lose the opportunity to recover what they deserve. What do injured parties need in their corner? A law firm with comprehensive expertise in preserving victims’ rights to ensure their claim doesn’t fall off the radar.
Working with Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd law firm comes with the advantage of nearly four decades of local personal injury experience. With a free case evaluation and zero out-of-pocket payments required, we will take over the paperwork and negotiations for your best possible financial settlement.
As a public service, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is proud to share this City of Okeechobee resource page with our local communities and visitors. Our intention is to provide clarity to the laws governing traffic accidents in Florida while describing the steps toward obtaining your police report.
In the 1960s the state of Florida took the first step signing a benchmark U.S. regulation demanding openness in business and government. Adopted in 1967, Florida’s Sunshine Law protects the rights of Floridians while improving public trust ‘through willing transparency.’
The procedure of Florida Statute Section 316.066 dictates when and how the City of Okeechobee Police Department is to create official traffic crash reports; including submission, supervision, and control of these documents. The following outline describes the 2-step path for police reports, moving from their initial confidential status to open public records.
Confidential Police Reports – First 60 Days
Florida’s traffic crash confidentiality timeline begins once a City of Okeechobee police report has been turned over by the investigating officer. This 60-day custodial measure protects the privacy rights of ‘exempt parties,’ allowing them time to assess the facts and implications of the report.
These exemptions are restricted to the individuals directly involved in the crash, along with their attorneys and insurance carriers; also the certified media. Under this section, the personal request for a police report copy requires the valid photo ID of a party listed on the report.
An affidavit may also be required for additional proof of exemption, at the clerk’s discretion. These statements include the promise that requested documents will not be used to solicit accident victims, nor be disclosed to any 3rd-party with that intention. The FLHSMV provides an online sworn statement you may download and submit with your mailed request.
Public Record – After 60 Days
Once the 60-day confidentiality timeline has passed, police reports now become ‘public record.’ As such, they can be accessed 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. You may access them online at the new Florida Crash Portal for an additional $2.00 transaction fee.
The City of Okeechobee Police Department has law enforcement jurisdiction within its limits, including the portions of highway or state roads that run through it.
Contact information for requesting a traffic crash police reports in person, by mail, email or phone, are provided here for your convenience:
City of Okeechobee Police Department
Attn: Records Clerk
50 SE 2nd Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: (863) 763-2626
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Days: Monday – Friday
Closed: Holidays
If your traffic accident has occurred on the Interstate or a state highway outside of the city, the Florida Highway Patrol has jurisdiction. Within the 60-day confidential timeline, you may acquire a police report copy in person at their jurisdictional FHP office which is the closest to the accident location. After 60 days have passed, the FHP accident police 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
Should you or a loved one be the victim in a City of Okeechobee traffic accident, there are injuries to be dealt with, transportation challenges, loss of wages — and sometimes, the overwhelming impact of having to start over in a whole new career.
Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is here to help with a full-service law firm in the City of Okeechobee. With nearly 40 years of expertise in settling traffic accident cases for our residents here, we also have multiple branches along the Treasure Coast.
Now is not the time to hesitate! Reach out today for a free consultation with an Okeechobee accident attorney at (863) 357-5800.
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.
From the moment you hire us, we will stand behind you, fighting to get the results you deserve.
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