West Palm Beach is a growing, bustling city of 120,900 near Miami. It features stunning beaches, nightlife, and entertainment. However, this city has more than its share of West Palm Beach car accidents, as shown in the statistics below.
If you have been in a car accident and think another party was at fault, you may need a seasoned, knowledgeable West Palm Beach personal injury attorney. Call 1-800-Injured for legal questions and assistance.
West Palm Beach Car Crash Statistics
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that Palm Beach County had approximately 27,000 auto accidents annually between 2017 and 2019. This is approximately 519 car accidents per week. The annual average of car accidents with injuries in the West Palm Beach area was 16,240, or about 45 car accidents daily. There were approximately 173 deadly auto accidents annually between 2017 and 2019.
Interestingly, West Palm Beach had a lower deadly crash rate than Florida overall. However, some of these accidents still resulted in severe injuries and deaths. Also, for 2019, the fatal car accident crash rate for Palm Beach County was 12.5% per 100,000 people. But injury crashes rose by 4.6%, while the overall crash rate declined.
Pedestrian Accidents: A Big Problem In West Palm Beach
Florida is known for its high number of pedestrian road deaths. In Florida, 5,893 pedestrians were killed in car accidents between 2010 and 2019. A shortage of pedestrian-friendly roads and other factors have made the Sunshine State one of the most hazardous for pedestrians. Of the top 20 most dangerous metropolitan areas, six are in Florida.
Unfortunately, Palm Beach County and West Palm Beach are state leaders in pedestrian accidents. The area has approximately 2.6 deadly pedestrian accidents per 100,000 people. There were an alarming 1,549 pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2017 in the region.
If you are a pedestrian and a driver hits you, it’s essential to retain a proven, diligent West Palm Beach personal injury attorney immediately. Your attorney can review your case at no charge and determine if it could result in compensation. If so, you could receive coverage for medical bills, lost past and future earnings, pain and suffering, etc.
Common Causes Of West Palm Beach Car Accidents
Most West Palm Beach car accidents happen because of driver errors. The decisions people make behind the wheel can lead to severe injury and death for other motorists and pedestrians. Common reasons for car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are:
- Not obeying state traffic laws
- Reckless driving and speeding
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
Fortunately, local efforts to reduce the number of traffic accidents in West Palm Beach are making a sizable difference. The Vision Zero Network works to help communities lower the number of traffic crashes in their communities. The Vision Zero Network aims to reduce traffic deaths and make safer streets. In recent years, the West Palm Beach Vision Zero program completed these initiatives:
- Citywide lighting program to increase driver visibility
- Yield signs and streets
- Speed bump program on busy roads
- School zone improvements
- $1 million in ADA enhancements
- 10 miles of bike paths and lanes
A recent report by the Palm Beach Post stated that the Vision Zero campaign has helped to reduce traffic accidents. The number of pedestrian accidents dropped by 18% between 2018 and 2019. Also, accidents involving serious injuries dropped by 55%, and pedestrian-bicycle accidents dropped by 35%. Deadly car accidents also fell by 33%.
However, severe and fatal auto accidents still occur far too often in West Palm Beach. If a driver hurts you, consider retaining an established car accident lawyer to fight for you. While Florida has a no-fault law, and your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers some of your losses, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit.
How A West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Did you suffer severe injuries in a car accident? Perhaps you have painful injuries, such as broken bones, back and neck pain, road rash, and broken ribs. If so, you’ll need plenty of time to recover, and obtaining compensation for your losses is only fair.
A seasoned car accident attorney can offer you legal support during your challenging time, and help you obtain the most compensation from the liable parties.
First, your attorney will review your case to understand the accident events and circumstances. In this session, the attorney will learn about your injuries and develop a legal strategy to obtain the ideal case results.
Second, your lawyer will prove who was at fault for the accident. For example, if another driver hits you in West Palm Beach at Military Trail and Forest Hill Blvd, your attorney will review the case evidence to prove liability. This process shows that the other driver violated their duty of care and injured you in the accident. The attorney may rely on vital accident evidence such as the police report, eyewitness statements, video and photo surveillance, and more.
Third, an experienced West Palm Beach attorney possesses local legal knowledge and years of expertise. Your attorney knows how insurance companies attempt to short-change severely injured victims and will challenge their tactics. Most car accident injury cases end in a settlement with the insurance company.
Fourth, your car accident attorney will prepare the case for trial if settlement negotiations fail. They’ll present a persuasive case to a jury of your peers to get you the money you deserve.
Speak To A Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney Now
Being in a car accident in West Palm Beach is stressful and upsetting. But a car accident attorney can help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost earnings. Don’t try to handle a severe car accident claim alone, or the insurance company might take advantage of you. Call 1-800-Injured today if you’re injured and need an aggressive, professional personal injury attorney to fight for your rights and compensation. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service.