Located along one of the barrier islands on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, Palm Beach offers residents and visitors alike year-round balmy weather, diverse arts and entertainment opportunities, and world-class shopping and dining options. Palm Beach is not, however, immune from the State of Florida’s reputation as a state with a disproportionately high number of traffic accidents each year. In 2023, the county of Palm Beach experienced 26, 236 motor vehicle crashes, according to data published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLSMV). A better understanding of what causes Palm Beach car accidents may help you avoid becoming a car crash victim.
At Demand the Limits, we understand all too well how a car accident can devastate victims and their families physically, emotionally, and financially. Picking up the pieces of your life after living through the trauma of a car crash can be incredibly challenging. Also, attempting to navigate an unfamiliar legal system in an attempt to secure compensation from the party responsible for the collision can be too much to undertake alone. If you are an injured victim or surviving loved one of a car accident, a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer at Demand the Limits can help ensure that the at-fault party (or parties) is held accountable and that you are justly compensated for all your injuries or loss.
Palm Beach Car Accidents
Florida routinely tops the list of states with a high number of traffic crashes each year. Furthermore, three of the nation’s deadliest roads and highways, including U.S. Route 1, Interstate 4, and Interstate 95, are found in the State of Florida, with Interstate 95 running north to south through Palm Beach. According to a Find By Plate study, Interstate 95 is the 17th deadliest road in America, noting that “accidents on this highway are frequently serious, involving multiple vehicles and high-speed crashes.” The study further noted that the most dangerous portions of I-95 are in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. In 2023, motor vehicle accidents resulted in the death of 182 people and caused 16,242 injuries throughout Palm Beach County.
What Causes Palm Beach Car Accidents?
Although there is no surefire way to prevent being involved in a car accident, gaining a better knowledge of the common causes of Palm Beach car crashes may help increase your odds of avoiding an accident. According to data compiled by Signal Four Analytics, intersections and lane departures were the leading contributing factors to serious injury and fatal accidents throughout Palm Beach County in 2023, with lane departures contributing to 237 serious injuries and 72 deaths and intersections providing the location for another 67 fatalities and 323 serious injuries. Other common causes of Palm Beach car accidents include:
- Aging Road Users: Long known as a popular retirement destination, Florida has an unusually high percentage of older drivers on its roadways. In 2023, 50 older drivers were killed and another 210 were seriously injured, making aged road users a top contributing factor to Palm Beach crashes.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Nationwide, speed contributed to about one in three motor vehicle crashes. In Palm Beach County, speed or aggressive driving was a factor in 35 fatal and 101 serious injury accidents in 2023.
- Impaired Driving: Although the number of impaired driving accidents has trended downward over the last several decades, 76 people were seriously injured and another 33 were killed in an impaired driving crash in 2023.
- Teen Drivers: In 2023, inexperienced teen drivers were involved in 90 accidents that caused serious injuries and 19 fatal crashes.
- Distracted Driving: Cell phones are not the only cause of distracted driving. Anything that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the roadway, or mind off of driving is a distraction. Distracted driving contributed to the death of six people and seriously injured another 105 people in Palm Beach in 2023.
- Drowsy Driving: Studies have found that a drowsy driver is every bit as dangerous on the roadway as an impaired driver. In 2023, three people were killed and another 26 suffered serious injuries in a drowsy driving collision in Palm Beach.
The Signal Four Analytics study also showed that you are most likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident on Friday during the evening rush hour (between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.); however, your chances of being fatally injured in a Palm Beach car accident increase later at night, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
What Can I Do to Avoid a Palm Beach Car Accident?
To help you avoid being seriously injured or killed in a Palm Beach car accident, consider enacting the following safety measures:
- Adopt a defensive driving approach: Be vigilant of other vehicles and road conditions. Regularly check your mirrors for potential threats from behind or beside you. Scan the road ahead for obstacles, hazards, or erratic drivers, enabling you to react promptly and avoid collisions.
- Stay vigilant: Whenever possible, avoid driving at night, as the risk of accidents rises after dark. Additionally, refrain from prolonged driving sessions, as studies indicate that drowsy drivers exhibit impaired reaction times akin to those of intoxicated drivers.
- Prioritize focused driving: Knowing that approximately 10 percent of all collisions involve a distracted driver, refrain from using your cell phone, eating, or applying makeup while driving. Minimize distractions from passengers or pets in the vehicle.
- Maintain safe distances: Avoid tailgating, as keeping a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the one ahead allows you adequate time to respond to sudden hazards, potentially preventing accidents.
How Can a West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Even if you take precautions to avoid a West Palm Beach car accident, you could still find yourself injured in a crash. As a result, you might experience physical injuries, emotional distress, and financial strain. Fortunately, the law permits you to pursue compensation from the responsible party or parties. You do not have to navigate this complex legal process alone. A skilled West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from Demand the Limits can help you. Our team is dedicated to leveraging our expertise and resources to ensure you receive fair compensation for all your injuries. 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.
