According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), automobile accidents are the leading source of injuries and fatalities countrywide, and West Palm Beach is no exception. It is shocking to know that car accidents are incredibly common in Palm Beach County, Florida. West Palm Beach has a high rate of fatal accidents, especially for pedestrian and car accidents.
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West Palm Beach Accident Statistics and Deadliest Intersections
As per the West Palm Beach accident statistics published by the FLHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) Department:
- Approximately an average volume of 26,666 crashes occurred annually between 2015 and 2017. This is equivalent to more than 500 crashes weekly and about seventy-three accidents daily
- The three year average for injuries resulting from crashes was about 15,906. It is equivalent to approximately 43.5 injuries reported daily.
- The annual fatality rate between 2015 and 2017 due to the traffic-related accident was 177.
Compared to Miami-Dade County, there were nearly 13.46 deaths per 100,000 individuals due to road crashes during 2018. Miami-Dade had a fatal rate of 10.12. Studies indicate that the deadliest intersection in Palm Beach County is the Okeechobee Boulevard and Military Trail. This is where the highest number of car accidents occurs yearly. It is reported that at this intersection, nearly 123 accidents occurred in the year 2018.
But this is not the only dangerous intersection in the county. The second deadliest intersection is reported to be Glades Road and State Road 7. The intersection has been reported to have about 118 accidents.
After a severe car accident, some victims die on the spot while those who miraculously survive are injured seriously. They must be rushed to the nearby hospital for quick medical assistance before it is too late. There are many hospitals and medical clinics in West Palm Beach, with ER departments open 24×7. They have the staff and equipment to provide adequate medical aid to the car accident victims—all much needed to ensure that they survive and are set on the path to recovery.
Hospitals and Medical Clinics in West Palm Beach
Some common hospitals and medical clinics in West Palm Beach, FL that victims are taken after car accidents or while they are in the process of recovery are:
Jupiter Medical Center Urgent Care West Palm Beach
Situated at 625 N Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, FL, Jupiter Medical Center specializes in urgent care. It offers emergency care with convenience and compassion. At Jupiter Medical Center, victims of car accidents can get treated quickly by their skilled clinical staff. These hospital offers are immediate care to anyone seeking immediate and effective medical attention. It is accredited by the UCAA (Urgent Care Association of America).
The hospital offers emergency services to assist people with life-threatening situations. Whether you’re suffering from severe bleeding after a crash or serious chest pain, or mental injuries, this hospital and medical center may be a good option to seek treatment.
Good Samaritan Medical Center
Good Samaritan Medical Center is a well-reputed and award-winning medical facility situated on 1309 N Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, Florida. Among the many hospitals and medical clinics in West Palm Beach, Good Samaritan Medical Center is popular for its wide range of service lines. From internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, or surgical weight loss Good Samaritan Medical Center caters to all patients.
If you have been injured in an accident near or on N Flagler Drive, then Good Samaritan Medical Center is a good choice to seek immediate medical aid. The hospital has an emergency department with world-class medical expertise plus first-in-class safety protocols. It is dedicated to delivering the right treatment, care and attention that victims need after severely injured in a roadside accident.
Their five-floor facility features 333 acute beds and a 22-bay emergency department.
JFK Medical Center
JFK Medical Center North Campus is a full-service ER care facility. This medical care center specializes in behavioral health and orthopedics in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ideally, this hospital is a preferred choice for car accident victims suffering from mental issues like trauma or depression. Those who experience spinal cord damage or any other injury-related to bones or the spine can seek quality treatment in this facility.
Featuring 245 beds, it is an acute care facility focus on providing patients with the best treatments possible. It is equipped with semi and large private rooms and technologically advanced medical equipment and offers a soothing environment, helping patients get the best care with convenience and comfort. The well-trained and attentive staff is dedicated to providing a pleasant patient experience and positive medical results.
Top Causes for Car Accidents in West Palm Beach
Among the top causes for car accidents in West Palm Beach are:
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Driving while being drunk or after getting stoned is highly dangerous. This is because substance use impairs judgment. Thus, the driver is unable to keep control of the car or make prompt decisions like pulling the brakes to avoid an accident.
Distracted Driving
Distractions can be of many kinds like using smartphones, texting, answering calls, replying to an email, fidgeting with the GPS or radio, eating a meal on-the-go or looking elsewhere but the road. All these distractions can increase the risk of an accident, thereby causing injuries to innocent people and sometimes even deaths.
Speeding
Drivers may speed for different reasons. They may speed because:
- It is a habit
- They are behind their daily schedule and running late
- They like the thrill
- They see it as an outlet for heightened emotions
They fail to realize that speeding is highly dangerous for everyone, including them and those sharing the road with them. This can increase the chance of crashes resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. It is crucial to understand that driving fast is risky because a speeding vehicle has very little time to react to any hazard on the road or to a traffic control device.
Vehicles of any size need more distance to come to a controlled stop. Also, a speeding vehicle is more susceptible to losing control, especially due to dangerous weather conditions like ice, snow and rain.
Common Injuries Incurred in a Car Accident in West Palm Beach
Victims of car accidents are taken to different hospitals and medical clinics in West Palm Beach for emergency care. These injuries may range from minor to serious, including a wide range of injuries from minor to serious.
Whiplash
This is a type of neck injury that commonly occurs in rear-end collisions. The injury occurs due to the forceful and quick back and forth neck movement. The condition is extremely painful. It involves the vertebrae, nerves, muscles, ligaments and a combination of other structures. This injury is inflammatory and causes dull or acute pain that can radiate from the neck to other parts of the body, such as arms, lower back and shoulders.
Broken or Fractured Bones
As two vehicles collide, the force and torque can result in fractured and broken bones in the arms and legs. This may require one or more surgeries and a long recovery time.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Also known as TBI, a traumatic brain injury causes damage to the brain. This occurs due to the sudden blow or jolt to the head after a collision between two vehicles.
Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe. But all are seriously affecting the functioning of the brain. Treatment for traumatic brain injury includes medication and intensive hospital care. However, this may vary from patient to patient and depending on the severity of their injury.
Spinal Damage
Spinal cord injury is one of the most severe and expensive car accident injuries. The spinal cord is crucial for the movement of the body. Thus, damage to the spine can result in a major loss of functioning, loss of sensation, and paralysis. This injury can be extremely disabling.
After an accident, disc fragments and ligaments in the spine may bruise severely or tear. When this occurs, this damages the nerve cells. These cells transmit signals to and from the brain and body. Damage to the spine requires quality medical treatment, and sometimes even multiple surgeries, assistive devices, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Another common injury is soft tissue injury. In this type of injury, damage occurs to the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the body. The body’s soft tissue areas get stretched, strained, stretched, or torn, depending on the accident’s severity. These injuries must be diagnosed quickly for immediate attention and care.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach to Pursue Damages
At Shiner Law Group, we are dedicated to getting clients the justice and compensation that they deserve. We can help you too. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Discuss your case with us, and we’ll provide you with the best course of legal action in your situation.
Our experienced car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach will work with you every step of the way to assist you in receiving the compensation you are entitled to. We can help you get fairly compensated and recover the following damages:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and future income
- Reduced earning potential
- Lowered quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Vehicle or property damage
- Pain and suffering
Get in touch with us today. Allow our lawyer to fight your case and get you justice. We will get you fairly compensated so that you have the financial stability that you need to seek quality treatment from one of the best hospitals and medical clinics in West Palm Beach, Florida.
