Accidents
Taylor Creek is a 2,560-acre suburban-rural sector of Okeechobee County, tucked into the northern shore of Lake Okeechobee. The U. S. Census Bureau classified Taylor Creek as a census-designated place (CDP), therefore its governmental functions are handled by county offices — with traffic accidents under the jurisdiction of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).
In 2017 Taylor Creek saw a decrease in its population by 366 to a total of 3,982 residents. However, with multiple federal highways and state roads wrapped around this community, it gets more than its fair share of traffic. In 2019, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office investigated 57% of the county’s 369 total traffic accidents. Seven crashes resulted in 8 fatalities, while 124 accidents caused injuries to 214 individuals.
The standard no-fault insurance required of all Florida drivers may give the mistaken impression that it is a Get Out of Jail Free card, no matter who caused the accident or the extent of injuries. Not so fast. Without legal guidance, a victim’s unintended omission or lack of understanding as to their rights may just prompt their justifiable claim to ‘fall off the radar.’
Locally established for nearly 40 years, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is dedicated to keeping you informed as we consistently strive to achieve the best financial settlement for your injuries and damages. Your free case review and zero out-of-pocket payments are intended to relieve the financial burden you shouldn’t have to deal with at a time like this.
For the benefit of our public communities, the law firm of Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is pleased to share this Taylor Creek resource page for acquiring your official police report. This page includes relevant Florida statutes and research personally obtained from each referenced law enforcement agency. It is our intention to clarify the process for victims of Taylor Creek traffic crashes.
As the U.S. state to adopt a Sunshine Law Florida presented a benchmark for openness in government and business regulations. The custodial guidelines revealed below demonstrate the Sunshine Law in action, protecting the rights of traffic accident victims while improving public trust ‘through willing transparency.’
The circumstances and parameters for law enforcement crash reports are defined in Florida Statute Section 316.066. It clarifies submission timelines, responsible document supervision, and demands the privacy of personal information in the hands of the state. The following 2 steps explain the flow of police report documents as they pass through confidential status to open public records.
Confidential Period – First 60 Days
When an investigating officer responds to a serious accident they are given up to 10 shift days to submit the completed traffic crash report. It will then be reviewed and approved by their superior before turning it over to the records custodian. And so, the 60-day confidentiality period begins — protecting the rights of ‘exempt parties’ and allowing them sufficient time to assess the facts and implications of the contents.
According to Section 316.066 ‘exempt parties’ are those individuals directly involved in a traffic accident. During the confidential period, you must present a valid photo ID and be named in the document. A legal representative and the insurance company will also have exempt access on their client’s behalf. Media with ‘public notice certification’ may access to the report as well.
A witnessed sworn statement may also be required for proof of exemption. This affidavit must include a promise that the requested documents will not be used to solicit an accident’s victims, nor be disclosed to a third-party for this intention.
Public Record – After 60 Days
Once the 60-day confidentiality period expires, Florida traffic accident police reports are deemed to be ‘public record.’ As such, they are now accessible by any party upon payment of the statutorily required fee of up to $10.00 each and may be purchased online at the new Florida Crash Portal for an added $2.00 transaction fee per report. Requests for public records do not require photo ID or sworn statements.
During the first 60 days of privacy, an involved party must include an affidavit of proof for their exemption. You may download the FLHSMV’s sworn statement and submit it along with your request on the OCSO website; or you can make the request in person, by mail, email or fax. Be sure to include your accident Case Number and a copy of your valid ID. After 60 days have passed, you may purchase copies of public record police reports online at the new Florida Crash Portal.
Contact details for obtaining your records are provided as follows:
Okeechobee County Sheriff
Attn: Eric Till, Records Clerk
504 NW 4th Street
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Days: Monday – Friday
Closed: Holidays
Phone (863) 763-3117 – ask for Records Clerk
Fax: (863) 357-5335
Email: [email protected]
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)
Should a traffic accident occur on a state road or U.S. Highway, the Florida Highway Patrol will have jurisdiction. At times, the FHP may also respond to surface street emergencies due to a resident’s proximity to the highways they handle.
Within the confidential period (first 60 days), you may acquire your police report copy in person at the jurisdictional FHP office closest to your accident location. After 60 days the document is deemed ‘public record’ and may be purchased online at the Florida Crash Portal. Taylor Creek’s nearest FHP office is noted below for your convenience:
Florida Highway Patrol
2929 N 25th Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Phone: (850) 617-3416, option #1
If you or a loved one is the victim of an accident with injuries or a fatality, the law firm of Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd is in your corner! You deserve our full attention and we promise you will have it, all along the way.
We’re in your neighborhood! Our legal team has lived here for generations, and our Okeechobee branch office is just 5 miles northwest of Taylor Creek. Please don’t hesitate for a minute! Our local traffic accident attorney is waiting for your call at (863) 357-5800 to give you a free case evaluation.
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