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The Problem With How the Media Covers Pedestrian Accidents

As a New York personal injury law firm, RMFW fully understands that pedestrian accident victims and their families need to work with skilled injury attorneys to protect their legal rights and pursue appropriate claims for benefits and compensation following a serious or deadly motor vehicle collision.

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are far too common within New York City. When these accidents occur, there are often significant problems with the way that the news media covers them.  Reports can undermine important efforts to encourage the public to take driving safety seriously in order to better protect pedestrians.

Common Issues With the Way Pedestrian Accidents are Reported

Streets Blog recently provided a detailed summary of the problems with the way that pedestrian accidents are generally reported by local media after collisions occur.  The blog outlined the four “biggest sins” that reporters commit when they cover collisions involving pedestrians. Some of the problematic things that the media does when discussing pedestrian incidents includes:

  • Victim blaming: Many media reports of fatal pedestrian accidents appear to blame the victim for his or her own death. Notations that the victim was jaywalking or not in a crosswalk often accompany pedestrian accident reports and are an example of the type of language that can imply the accident wouldn’t have happened if the victim had only followed the rules.   
  • Failing to consider the conditions of the street: When pedestrian accidents are reported, the reports rarely include any information about street conditions.  More than half of all pedestrian fatalities occur on multi-lane arterial roads. Death rates are especially high on wide streets that are home to apartment buildings and commercial areas that people walk to frequently.  If the data was reported on street conditions, patterns could be identified and the public would have more info on where the greatest pedestrian accident risks are.  In some locations, for example, as many as 50 percent of pedestrian traffic deaths happen on just three percent of roads, many of which tend to be concentrated into lower income areas.
  • Talking about cars instead of about drivers: Many reports describe the things that the car did. For example, a report may indicate that an SUV hit a pedestrian.  By not focusing on drivers, the reports tend to obscure the fact that many pedestrian crashes occur as a direct result of driver behaviors like speeding or failing to yield.
  • Using the term “accident” instead of crash: While most car crashes aren’t intentional, the accidents are still preventable. Using the word accident could suggest that nothing can be done to stop similar incidents from occurring in the future. A term like collision or crash is more neutral and it does not give the false impression that crashes are just random, unpreventable bad luck.

Pedestrian accidents are not just accidents–someone causes them to occur. The person who is responsible for causing the accident needs to be held accountable so victims and their families do not face uncompensated financial loss. Contact Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, a personal injury law firm in New York, if you or someone you love was a crash victim and you want to make a claim for damages against the driver who caused harm.

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April Johnson
April Johnson
15:54 30 Jun 23
Easy access to thr firm with a very nice Lawyer
Benjamin Roussey
Benjamin Roussey
19:03 29 Jun 23
No firm gets it done like RMFW. They are the best.They are awesome - for sure.
Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez
19:02 24 May 23
I’ve been in the personal injury field as an investigator for 29 years. All in New York City. Out of all the hundreds of Law Firms I’ve worked with, Rosenberg Minc Falkoff & Wolf, would have to be at the very top of my list. Amazing staff great attorneys.If you want the job done right, these are you guys.
Julio Ochoa
Julio Ochoa
20:49 18 May 23
I highly recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP for their outstanding assistance in obtaining a settlement for an Erb's Palsy birth injury case. Their knowledge, dedication, and compassionate attitude were important in attaining a successful end. Their professionalism and assistance were simply outstanding from beginning to end. I am deeply thankful for their representation and would enthusiastically recommend them to anyone seeking justice in a similar situation.
Aisha Neri
Aisha Neri
20:29 18 May 23
I recently had the privilege of working with Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP on my daughter’s birth injury case involving Erb's Palsy, and I cannot express enough gratitude for their exceptional legal services. From the initial consultation to the successful settlement, they demonstrated profound expertise, unwavering dedication, and genuine compassion for my family's situation.From the very beginning, the team proved their commitment to justice. They thoroughly investigated the circumstances surrounding my child Erb's Palsy birth injury, leaving no stone unturned. Their extensive knowledge and understanding of medical malpractice law, coupled with their deep expertise in birth injury cases, provided us with tremendous confidence in their ability to handle our case.The attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff consistently displayed exceptional professionalism and attention to detail throughout the entire legal process. They meticulously gathered evidence, consulted with medical experts, and built a compelling case that clearly outlined the negligence and liability on the part of the medical professionals involved. One aspect that truly stood out was the genuine care and compassion exhibited by Daniel Minc, Lorraine Licul, and the entire team at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff. They treated us not just as clients but as individuals with unique emotions and concerns. They took the time to listen attentively to our worries, provided constant updates on the progress of our case, and promptly responded to our inquiries, ensuring we felt supported and reassured throughout the process. Their empathy and understanding made an immeasurable difference during such a challenging and emotionally taxing time.When it came time to negotiate a settlement, Daniel Minc demonstrated remarkable skill and tenacity. He fought fiercely on our behalf, advocating for fair compensation to cover any potential long-term effects of Erb's Palsy on my child's life. His negotiation skills were truly impressive, as they secured a settlement that exceeded our expectations and provided the financial resources necessary to support my child's future needs.I cannot recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff highly enough to anyone seeking legal representation in Erb's Palsy birth injury cases or any other medical malpractice matters. Their extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and empathetic approach make them an exceptional choice for families navigating the complexities of birth injury litigation. Thanks to Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, my family now has the means to provide the best care and opportunities for my child's future.If you are seeking a law firm that combines legal expertise with genuine compassion, look no further than Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP. They will tirelessly fight for your rights and ensure your voice is heard, providing you with the support and justice you deserve.
Aoki R
Aoki R
17:14 17 May 23
I highly recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP. They are a team of dedicated professionals fully committed to their clients. I have witnessed the firm's amazing work ethic in my experience with their attorneys and Lorraine Licul. Lorraine is a knowledable, empathetic and results-driven professional. Minc is an excellent attorney and I greatly appreciate the firm's expertise.
Michael Levites
Michael Levites
17:42 12 May 23
I have recommended this firm to some of my friends and I heard back only positive feedback about the client responsiveness, diligence and hard work put in by these attorneys. I will continue to refer anyone who suffered a personal injury to Rosenberg Minc..
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