West Palm Beach Car Accident Statistics

Although Palm Beach County is the third-largest county in the state by population, West Palm Beach is number 21 by population and 18 by area. But that doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t have its share of dangerous and deadly accidents. Weinstein Legal parsed the accident data to illustrate just how dangerous driving in Palm Beach County can be. Read on to find out more.

About the DHSMV Data

All of the information comes from the annual Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle report. Because there is a lag in reporting, the most recent statistics come from the 2020 calendar year. 2020 was an unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where we feel that the statistics are skewed by this fact, we post contrasting data for previous years. Additionally, the report does not break the statistics down by city. Because West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County, we believe that the county stats are a reliable indicator of accident trends in the city. Finally, a single-car accident can result in multiple parties being injured, affecting some of the percentages.

West Palm Beach Crash Statistics

Palm Beach County had a total of 22,106 crashes in 2020. This is a decrease of over 4,700 crashes — or about 18% fewer than the 2019 figure of 26,817. Additionally, there were 12,832 injuries and 185 deaths during 2020. While injuries were down, there were 174 deaths in 2019, indicating a slight increase.

Palm Beach County vs. Broward County

Many residents of Palm Beach and Broward drive in both counties. As the nearest county of similar size and population — although Broward has more residents — a comparison of both counties is useful:

 Palm Beach

• Population – 1.49 million
• Accidents – 22,106
• Deaths – 185
• Injuries – 12,832
• % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 58.9%

Broward

• Population – 1.94 million
• Accidents – 34,050
• Deaths – 268
• Injuries – 18,984
• % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 56.5%

Palm Beach vs. Broward

Population Difference – Broward is 30% larger than Palm Beach

Accidents – Broward had 54% more accidents than Palm Beach

Deaths – Broward had 45% more accident-related deaths than Palm Beach

Injuries – Broward had 48% more accident-related injuries than Palm Beach

From these comparisons, it appears that Broward has a disproportionately higher number of accidents, accident-related deaths, and accident-related injuries than Palm Beach. However, when it comes to the percentage of accidents that resulted in death or injury, Broward and Palm Beach were relatively close — 58.9% and 56.5%, respectively. That means that if you’re in an accident in either county, you’re more likely to be injured or killed than not.

Fatal Accidents in Palm Beach County

Over the past three recorded years, there were 183 accident-related fatalities in 2018, 174 accident-related fatalities in 2019, and 185 accident-related fatalities in 2020 for a three-year average of 181.

Fatal accidents provide unique legal challenges for the plaintiff. If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal Palm Beach collision, contact an auto accident lawyer that handles wrongful death claims.

The Alarming Rate of Pedestrian Accidents in Palm Beach County

The data also contains a disturbing trend: the number of pedestrian crashes. The 2018-2020 average for pedestrian accidents is 572. Of those, 542 (nearly 95%) involved injuries. There were also 42 fatalities. This means that you have nearly a 100% chance of being injured or dying in a pedestrian accident.

Fighting For Compensation After an Auto Accident in West Palm Beach

If you’re one of the thousands of West Palm Beach residents who have been injured in an accident, you’re entitled to compensation for your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages from work, and pain and suffering.

To say that insurance companies are usually reluctant to offer full compensation is an understatement. In order to get the full amount you deserve, you’re going to require an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. The car accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal represents accident victims on a contingency basis. That means that he only receives compensation if you get a settlement or court award. There are no out-of-pocket costs and all consultations are free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Car Accident Cases

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions by West Palm Beach car accident victims. For specific information about your case, contact Weinstein Legal. Weinstein Legal also handles car accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and their surrounding cities.

Are Collisions in Palm Beach County on the Rise?

Because of the lag in reporting, it’s difficult to tell if accidents are increasing. In 2020, people drove fewer miles, which skew the statistics. Prior to that year, accidents in Palm Beach County neither appeared to be rising nor declining.

How Often Do Palm Beach County Accidents Cause Injuries?

According to the Florida DHSMV statistics, in 2020, 56.5% of all accidents resulted in deaths or injuries. That means that more than one in two accidents results in an injury. It’s important to note that multiple parties can be injured in a single accident.

What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Car Accident?

The following tips can help your case and your physical recovery.

• Get to a place of safety. You can be injured more than one time in an accident.
• Call 911 and give the dispatcher whatever information they require.
• If you’re able to, from a position of safety, take photos or a video of the property damage, the road, injuries, debris on the ground.
• Ask witnesses to remain on scene or ask for their contact information.
• Allow EMTs to physically examine you. If necessary, allow them to transport you to the emergency room.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer who handles accidents in West Palm Beach before accepting a settlement from the insurance company.

What if I Can’t Afford an Attorney?

As a personal injury law firm operating in West Palm Beach Florida, Weinstein Legal works on a contingency basis. We don’t charge clients upfront, and we follow the Florida Bar contingency fee rules.

If you’re researching West Palm Beach car accident studies because you’ve been injured in an accident. Don’t delay. Call Weinstein Legal today.

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