Motor Vehicle “Accidents”

Motor Vehicle “Accidents”

This article explores why we shouldn’t use the term “accident” in describing every car wreck. Even lawyers for injured people in car crash cases fall prey to using the wrong words and communicate the wrong ideas even if the facts are right. While the defendant in a car wreck may not have intended to hurt anybody, that does not make it an “accident.” Usually the defendant made a choice to do something–run a red light; follow too closely; text while driving; merge without looking; fail to pay attention; or intentionally make other choices where they disobey the rules of the road. Using the term “accident” shouldn’t let defendants (or plaintiffs if they were at fault) off the hook.