Accidents
Florida’s busy West Vero Corridor has a population of 7,138 residents (2010 census) occupying 4.9 square miles of land. It borders the stretch of State Road 60 between Vero Beach and Interstate 95 and is classified as a census-designated place (CDP) under the jurisdiction of IRSCO (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office). Place your call to 9-1-1 for the operator to take your information and dispatch a deputy sheriff, and other first responders as needed. If you are injured or in peril be sure to stay on the line with them until help arrives.
In the United States, traffic accidents account for the highest percentage of personal injuries, therefore an insurance claims adjuster may seek to minimize or deny a justifiable claim. Before discussing the crash with an insurance adjuster, we highly suggest having a free consultation with our local attorney at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd.
As a public service, HTL&L is pleased to share our West Vero Corridor resource page, with details for access to your official police report. The research for this page includes information obtained directly from the records custodians for IRCSO with a clear path to securing your traffic accident police reports. In addition, we have inserted relevant Florida regulations for your convenience.
Florida was the first state to adopt the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law in 1967, and it has become a benchmark for regulations that demand openness in both business and government. The custody and release regulations for West Vero Corridor police reports demonstrate the Sunshine Law in action — protecting the rights of Floridians while ‘improving public trust through willing transparency.’
Florida Statute Section 316.066 dictates when crash reports are required — as well as their format, submission deadlines, and flow of custody. The following 2 steps describe the way that Florida’s police reports move from confidential status to open public records.
Confidential Period – The First 60 Days
The 60-day privacy timeline begins when a police report has been submitted to the IRCSO by the deputy. Taking this measure protects the rights of privacy for ‘exempt parties,’ by allowing them a proper length of time in confidence to assess the facts and implications of the report.
‘Exempt parties’ are specifically those individuals directly involved in a traffic accident, along with their attorneys and insurance carriers; as well as 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. Involved parties are not generally charged a fee unless extensive research is required by the clerk.
The IRCSO may require a sworn statement, to be witnessed by a notary or deputy for additional proof of exemption. As you will see, it is a requirement that these affidavits promise that requested documents will not be used to solicit accident victims, or disclosed to a third-party with this intention.
Public Record – After 60 Days
Florida Law dictates that traffic accident police reports are ‘public record’ once their 60-day confidential period has passed. As such, they can now be accessed by any party upon payment of the statutorily required fee of up to $10.00 per report. Public record police reports do not require photo identification or sworn statements. They may be accessed at the new online Florida Crash Portal for $10.00 plus a $2.00 transaction fee.
The IRCSO has jurisdiction over the non-municipal areas of the county; including towns, census-designated places (CDPs) and unincorporated neighborhood communities. The deputy’s completed narrative with data will become the official police report and must be submitted to IRCSO within 10 days of the accident.
A public records invoice can be paid in person by cash, check or money order made payable to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Online payments are accepted by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, with a transaction fee of 2.5%, with a $2.00 minimum for each transaction.
Contact information for requesting these traffic accident reports in person, by mail, email or phone, are provided here for your convenience:
Indian River County Sheriff
Custodian of Records
4055 41st Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (772) 978-6215
Email: [email protected]
When a traffic accident occurs on the Interstate or a state road or highway, the Florida Highway Patrol has jurisdiction. Within the confidential timeline (first 60 days), you may acquire a police report copy in person at the FHP office below — which is nearest to your West Vero Corridor accident location. After 60 days, the FHP accident police report is now 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
There is no doubt that the technical aspects of an injury accident can be overwhelming. Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd has you covered with multiple full-service law firms along the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee. For nearly 40 years we have specialized in local traffic accident cases, keeping our clients informed every step along the way.
Our local HTL&L Vero Beach accident attorney is available to discuss your case, by dialing 772-794-7774.
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.
As the law firm Florida has trusted for over 40 years to fight on their behalf, we are more than ready to represent you. Put our experience and reputation to work. If you need help with any legal matter, whether it’s a personal injury, workers’ compensation, disability or bankruptcy case, contact us now. The consultation is absolutely free.
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