Traffic accidents have been on the rise in southeastern Florida. If you have recently been injured in West Palm Beach car accident, contact the attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. for help. Our experienced personal injury team can help you get the money you need and deserve after your accident.

We know that an unexpected accident can be overwhelming and will fight to make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.

West Palm Beach Car Accidents

Since 2011, the number of car accidents in West Palm Beach has increased by more than 400 percent. Last year, there were 3,312 accidents in the city, up from the 768 reported crashes in 2011. Approximately one-third of all accidents result in a serious injury.

Fatal West Palm Beach Accidents

Accidents are not only happening more frequently in West Palm Beach, but are also becoming more deadly. In 2011, there were 8 car accident fatalities. The number of fatalities more than doubled by 2017, when 17 car accident deaths were reported.

Types of Traffic Accidents in West Palm Beach

Accidents in West Palm Beach do not only affect cars. The city’s roads are shared by motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and commercial drivers who are often involved in accidents. In 2017, traffic accidents in West Palm Beach frequently involved:

Commercial vehicles (10 percent of accidents)
Pedestrians (3 percent of accidents), and
Bicyclists (1.3 percent of all accidents).

Causes of West Palm Beach Car Accidents

Why have car accidents become so common in West Palm Beach? While accidents can happen for any number of reasons, certain causes are reported more frequently than others.

Speeding: West Palm Beach roads are built for speed and drivers seem to have no problem taking advantage. Drivers who get caught in city traffic, which is often aggravated by the thriving tourist economy, will not hesitate to push past the speed limit to make up for lost time. Research shows that speeding is a factor in nearly one-quarter of all traffic accidents. Recently, Florida officials began debating a reduction in the city’s speed limit in an effort to reduce the number of accidents.

Impaired Driving: West Palm Beach has plenty of places to enjoy a few drinks with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, many people in West Palm Beach get behind the wheel after consuming drugs or alcohol. The number of alcohol-related car accidents has increased significantly over the past few years, with many of those drunk driving crashes happening within West Palm Beach city limits.

Distracted Driving: Drivers are increasingly distracted behind the wheel. In fact, approximately 10 percent of all fatal car accidents and 16 percent of all injury-causing accidents are the result of distracted driving practices. Whether they’re texting, fiddling with a GPS or radio, or conversing with passengers, drivers are simply not paying attention to the road. In cities like West Palm Beach where the roads are congested and often shared with pedestrians, distractions can be deadly.

Driving at Night: Driving between the hours of 9 PM and 4 AM tend to be more dangerous. Even though there are fewer cars on the road, drivers are more likely to be intoxicated and/or fatigued. Since visibility is often limited at night, accidents are more likely to happen.

Damages Available to West Palm Beach Car Accident Victims

Car accidents in West Palm Beach are often the result of negligence. Negligence occurs when a person has and breaches a duty of care. All drivers on the road have a duty to drive safely and follow posted traffic laws. When drivers are negligent and cause an accident, they can be held financially responsible for injuries that result. If you’ve been injured because of another person’s negligence, you may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit for damages.

At Lavent Law, P.A., our West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers can help you recover monetary damages for:

Medical bills
Rehabilitation
Property damage
Prescription medication
Nursing care
Disability
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Loss of enjoyment of life, and
Disfigurement.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation with our skilled legal team. We will review your case, outline the damages that may be available to you, and answer any questions you have.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases

How long after your West Palm Beach car accident do you have to file a personal injury case? Under Florida law, you will only have four years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations expires you will not be able to recover the money you really need and deserve.

There are certain times when the statute of limitations can be accelerated or extended. For example, you have less time to file a legal claim if you believe that the government is responsible for your injury. On the other hand, you may have additional time to file your claim if you did not identify your injury right away.

You can make sure that you are able to get the money you deserve after your accident by contacting an experienced West Palm Beach attorney as soon as possible. Call Lavent Law, P.A. today for help.

What Should I Do After a West Palm Beach Car Accident?

A lawsuit may not be the first thing on your mind after your accident. However, it is important to keep in mind that the things you do immediately following your crash will affect any legal claims that you decide to pursue.

1. Get your injuries checked out by a doctor.

It’s important to seek medical help after your accident, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Car accidents often cause internal injuries that, left untreated, can result in dangerous complications. A doctor will make sure that all of your injuries are properly identified and treated. The medical report generated by your visit will also be helpful in establishing a link between your accident and injuries.

2. Report the crash.

Make sure that you take the time to report your car accident to West Palm Beach police. An officer will arrive on the scene and write up a detailed report. This report will be useful in the future because it will contain important details about your accident that would otherwise be forgotten. These small details (e.g., weather conditions, traffic, road conditions) can be incredibly important to your legal case.

3. Gather evidence.

The more evidence you have to support your case, the greater your chances of recovering the money you deserve. Start by taking photographs of the scene of the crash, damage to any vehicles involved, and your injuries. When you have time, try to write down your memory of the event. This can be helpful down the line when you’re struggling to remember exactly what happened.

4. Resist the temptation to settle.

Insurance companies will be eager to get in contact with you before you’ve had the opportunity to speak with your lawyer. Why? They know that the likelihood of you agreeing to accept an early settlement offer is much better when you’re not represented by an attorney. These companies will try to take advantage of this overwhelming time in your life and trick you into accepting a lowball offer. The amount of money they offer may seem enticing, but it will not be enough to cover the full extent of your injuries in the long run.

Wait to speak with insurance companies until you’ve spoken with an experienced car accident attorney. Better yet, direct all communication to your attorney to ensure that you’re properly compensated for your injuries.

5. Call a West Palm Beach attorney for help.

Hiring an attorney to handle your personal injury case is the best thing you can do after a West Palm Beach car accident. Why? First, hiring an attorney gives you the time you need to focus on your physical recovery. Second, settlements are generally more substantial when an attorney is involved in negotiations. If you want to maximize the amount of money you get from your lawsuit call Lavent Law, P.A. for help.

West Palm Beach Auto Accident Attorneys

Have you been injured in a West Palm Beach traffic accident? Contact the attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. to find out how we can help you get the money you deserve. Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyers will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf and will not rest until you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

You have a limited amount of time to act, so do not hesitate to call us now. We will review your case, explain your legal rights, and answer any questions you have.