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The highest number of car crashes occurred in West Palm Beach during rush hour (morning and evening). The increased number of cars on the road during rush hour increases the chances of a wreck; at this time of day, distracted driving is the most common cause of car accidents.
Knowing when car accidents are more likely to happen can help you reduce your chances of getting involved in one. Knowing what to do after you’ve been injured in an accident is just as important. A phone call to an experienced West Palm Beach car accident lawyer is the right first step to protecting your rights after a wreck, no matter what time of day it occurred.
Palm Beach County traffic crashes: Fact & figures
In 2024, there were 26,550 total car crashes in Palm Beach County, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV). Nearly two-thirds of those crashes resulted in fatalities and injuries.
Weekend nights have a higher instance of people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; despite the prevalence of rideshares and public transit, there were still 16 DUI-related crashes in Palm Beach County last year, 12 of which were fatal. This is less than the number in 2023 (18), although it’s still an unacceptable number of preventable deaths and injuries.
The number of fatal motor vehicle accidents, 213, is one of the lowest the county has seen in recent years, although it’s still a disturbing trend. As of writing, there have already been nearly 100 fatal crashes in Palm Beach County this year.
Peak times and days of the week for Palm Beach County accidents
Friday is the most dangerous day of the week for car accidents in Palm Beach County, according to interactive data supplied by the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (PBTPA). The PBTPA evaluated data from a recent five-year period (2019-2023), organizing the data by crash type, day of the week, and injuries, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The weekday with the least number of collisions is Monday; Sundays are by far the safest day of the week to travel in Palm Beach County, with 22,300 accidents occurring last year. Friday is the most dangerous day of the week, with 37,100 auto accidents happening in a five-year period.
The summer months typically have more collisions than wintertime, partly due to an increased number of tourists visiting Florida and the coast.
Factors contributing to high numbers of traffic accidents
Human error is the cause of 94% of all traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly all traffic collisions in the country involve at least one of these contributing, human-controlled factors:
- Distracted Driving: Distractions can be physical (removing your hands from the wheel), cognitive (thinking about other things than the road), or visual (looking at something besides the road and mirrors). Using a cell phone or other electronic device while driving combines all three, making it especially dangerous.
- Speeding: Speed limits are set for safety. Excessive speed accounts for the majority of fatal accidents. It’s important to note that speed limits are the maximum speed you should drive in daylight, with clear weather conditions. At night, or in inclement weather, drive slower than the speed limit.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and often increases the odds of being in a car accident. Drinking or using drugs impairs the driver’s judgment and makes them more likely to take risks.
- Reckless and Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, running stop signs or red lights, excessive speeding, “road rage,” and weaving in and out of traffic, especially without using a turn signal, are all dangerous behaviors that create conditions in which a crash is more likely to happen.
- Drowsy Driving: Driving when you’re very tired is just as dangerous as drunk driving. In fact, driving after being awake for more than 20 hours has the same effect on the mind and body as driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the legal limit for intoxication.
Injured in a West Palm Beach crash? Know your rights
Even if you’re a cautious driver, there’s no guarantee others on the road will be. Rush hour congestion and unsafe driving habits cause thousands of preventable crashes in Palm Beach County each year. If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have helped injured Floridians hold reckless drivers accountable and recover what they need to move forward. Call (561) 655-1990 or contact our team online to schedule your free consultation with a trusted West Palm Beach personal injury attorney.