Certain organizations have been somewhat successful in efforts to minimize the use of the word “accident” in regard to vehicle collisions, especially those caused by a drunk or distracted driver. These organizations want to see this type of auto accident in Fort Worth referred to as a “crash”.
Behind the Effort
All of this may seem like unimportant semantics to most people, but there are different psychological implications for these words. Who is behind this effort? Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, for one. The National Highway Traffic Association, for another. They don’t view these incidents as truly accidental when someone has deliberately become intoxicated and then got behind the wheel of a car. The same is true for someone who is reckless enough to read and type text messages while driving.
People in general still refer to a collision as an auto accident in Fort Worth, since the word and the concept is so ingrained in U.S. society. However, the Texas Department of Transportation refers to official documentation as crash reports.
Unintentional but Preventable
Nearly all vehicle collisions are unintentional, but most of them are preventable. That’s a major point in the effort to stop using the term accident for these occurrences. According to the New York Times, only about six percent of the collisions are caused by weather conditions and problems with the vehicle. Most are caused by factors like fatigue, inattention, carelessness, aggression and intoxication. People become so complacent about driving that they forget they are operating a huge piece of machinery that can be dangerous.
An Injured Person’s Point of View
Someone who has been hurt in a wreck caused by another driver may appreciate this determined attempt to change the language used about these kinds of incidents. This person may not appreciate hearing a statement like, “A two-vehicle accident resulted in serious injury to one of the drivers. Alcohol was a factor”. Instead, it would be more accurate to state, “An intoxicated driver crashed into another car, seriously injuring that vehicle’s driver”.
Victims can contact an organization such as David S. Kohm & Associates for a free consultation. Learn more at the website .
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