As summer approaches, traffic in the West Palm Beach area tends to increase given that it is a popular vacation spot. For motorists, the increased traffic makes already dangerous roadways even more perilous, as noted in “Status Report” published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For residents who travel West Palm Beach roadways regularly, and even tourists unfamiliar with alternate routes, completely avoiding problematic roadways and intersections may not be feasible; however, you can reduce the likelihood of being seriously injured in a crash by familiarizing yourself with top West Palm Beach accident locations and circumventing them when possible.
The car accident attorneys at Demand the Limits urge motorists to use extra caution year around when navigating known accident locations with particular care taken during the summer months as this has historically emerged as the deadliest season for motorists. Given that Florida is a popular destination for tourists seeking sunshine and relaxation, it stands to reason that roadways in the Sunshine State will be inundated with vehicles during the summer months. To help you avoid hazardous roads and intersections throughout the year, the team at Demand the Limits has put together a list of the top accident locations in the West Palm Beach area.
West Palm Beach’s Top Accident Locations
Florida consistently emerges at the top of the list of states with a disproportionate number of motor vehicle accidents. Various studies have highlighted the perilous nature of Florida’s highways. A recent report calls Florida home to three of the nation’s deadliest roads and highways, including U.S. Route 1, Interstate 4, and Interstate 95. In 2023, data collected by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLSMV) indicates that there were 26,236 motor vehicle collisions in Palm Beach County, causing over 16,000 injuries and resulting in the death of 182 people. Areas throughout the West Palm Beach area known for higher-than-average accident rates include:
- Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard: This intersection routinely makes the list of the most dangerous intersections in West Palm Beach, averaging over 100 crashes annually. The high volume of traffic flowing through the intersection is a primary contributing factor to the high number of crashes.
- North Congress Avenue and 45th Street: This intersection frequently makes the top three list as far as the number of accidents that occur in or near the intersection. The proximity to several major shopping centers makes this a heavily traveled area, causing frequent traffic jams and sudden stops which lead to collisions.
- Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Robbins Drive: Accidents are common in this area due in large part to its location close to on and off-ramps for a major interstate, in addition to being a commercial district with heavy traffic on a daily basis.
- Palm Beach Lakes and Village Boulevards: Collisions occur in the Palm Beach Lakes/Village Boulevards area because the location includes both a popular shopping area and numerous arterial roads and drives that can confuse motorists who are unfamiliar with the traffic patterns in the area.
- Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Executive Center Drive: The intersection of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Executive Center Drive serves as a primary entrance and exit to Palm Beach Outlets, a popular shopping mall in West Palm Beach. The sheer volume of traffic passing through the intersection each day makes accidents (usually fender-benders) commonplace.
- North Jog Road and Okeechobee Boulevard: Located at the intersection of two major highways, close to numerous hotels and retail stores, the intersection of North Jog Road and Okeechobee Boulevard sees more than its share of crashes each year.
- Okeechobee Boulevard and Wabasso Drive: Located close to numerous prominent auto dealerships, accidents frequently occur here as motorists struggle to navigate from the slower Wabasso Drive to the busier and faster-moving thoroughfare on Okeechobee Boulevard.
- Okeechobee Boulevard and Interstate 95: Accident rates tend to climb near the interstate entrance and exit ramps because motorists are attempting to merge with faster or slower-moving traffic.
- Southern Boulevard and Lyons Road: This accident-prone intersection is located right between the suburban area to its south and the commercial shopping area to its north, providing fertile ground for accidents to occur as motorists attempt to make the transition from one area to the other.
What Can I Do to Prevent a West Palm Beach Car Accident?
Along with avoiding known accident areas or using caution when avoiding a high-accident area is impossible, there are some additional steps you can take to try and prevent being injured in a motor vehicle collision, including:
- Avoid driving distracted: About 3,000 people are killed each year in a distracted driving accident and almost 1 in 10 collisions involve a distracted driver. Put down your cell phone, do not eat or put on makeup while driving, and limit interaction with passengers or pets in the vehicle.
- Do not tailgate: Keeping sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you allows you time to react to hazards that occur in front of you, potentially avoiding a collision.
- Drive defensively: Pay attention to other vehicles on the roadway and the roadway itself. Frequently check your mirrors for potential dangers behind and beside you. Also, scan the road in front of you for obstacles, hazards, or problem drivers so that you can react in time to avoid a crash.
- Stay alert: When possible, avoid driving at night as your odds of being involved in an accident increase after dark. In addition, do not stay on the road too long because studies have shown that drowsy drivers have the same decreased reaction time as intoxicated drivers.
How Can a West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Despite your best efforts to steer clear of common accident locations in West Palm Beach, you might still find yourself involved in a car accident. If so, you will likely experience physical injuries, psychological trauma, and financial hardship. Fortunately, the law allows you to seek compensation from another party if that party caused or contributed to the collision. Moreover, you do not need to navigate the legal system on your own. An experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer at Demand the Limits can help. We are committed to using our expertise, capabilities, and resources to ensure that you receive fair compensation if have been injured in a West Palm Beach accident. Call (561) 600-3555 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation. Don’t delay – the sooner you have an attorney fighting for you, the better protected your legal rights will be.
