You may hear the words “accident” and “crash” when news stories discuss traffic incidents. While most people do not think about how they use words to describe traffic incidents, it may be time to think about what label we put on them. Some people have suggested using the term “traffic violence.” At JML Law, our Los Angeles car accident attorneys want to discuss why some groups think this language is important and how it could affect you.
Do Labels Matter For Traffic Incidents
What sounds worse – “traffic accident” or “traffic violence.”
When discussing traffic incidents, most people use the word “accident.” For example, you may hear a new story begin with the following phrases:
- Pedestrian killed in an accident
- Bicycle accident injures three…
- Horrific car accident on the roadway…
A recent news story pointed out that traffic crashes claimed the lives of over 200 people in Los Angeles in 2019, and that the number may be more than 2018 deaths when final tallies are made. More than half of the fatalities were pedestrians struck by drivers in the city.
Safety advocates are pushing for officials and news agencies to remove the word “accident” from traffic vocabulary. They say they would prefer the term “traffic violence,” especially when describing collisions when a pedestrian or bicyclist is injured or killed. Advocates argue that the long-term use of the word “accident” has minimized the seriousness of these incidents. They say that using the word “accident” creates a perception block about who is responsible when drivers cause these fatal incidents, that “accident” makes it seem like the incidents were not preventable.
However, we know that most pedestrian and bicycle accidents are preventable. They are often caused by careless or negligent driving behaviors, including the following:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to follow traffic laws
- Speeding or reckless driving
Safety advocates point out that when a 4-year-old girl was killed while walking with her mother in a marked crosswalk in October, the LAPD called the incident an “unfortunate accident.”
Was It An Accident
The word “accident” is deeply rooted in the way we discuss traffic incidents. Even incidents caused by intoxicated drivers are often labeled as “accidents” when they clearly were not caused by accident. They were caused by a negligent drunk driver. Hit-and-run incidents, even intentional ones, are often called “accidents” in the media.
It is time to rethink how we define these incidents.
Let Us Help You Through This Today
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a traffic crash caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions, seek legal assistance today. At JML Law, we are dedicated to helping those who are injured secure the compensation they deserve. This can include,
- All of your medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost income if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party
When you need a Los Angeles car accident attorney, you can contact us today by clicking here or calling us at 818-610-8800 for a free consultation today.
