Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on September 9, 2010 at 9:05am

For Chicagoland bicyclists (and pedestrians), Active Trans offers our Crash Support Hotline 312.869.HELP (4357) and online resources www.activetrans.org/crashsupport. We can help out with referrals and resources for crash survivors.

Also on a point of language, the blog uses the term "accident" instead of "crash." We advocate for "crash." (thanks for using "collision," Michael).

We consider the term "accident" to be misleading and frequently inaccurate. While many crashes are unintended, it is questionable that all are unavoidable, which the term "accident" implies. This is particularly true in cases where the crash is not witnessed by a third party.

"Accident" removes fault and minimizes an often preventable outcome, including death and serious injury.

"Crash" is the most accurate way to describe the events of a car hitting a pole, a pedestrian, a bicyclist or another car.

Keep it in mind, Chainlinkers!

Thanks,
Ethan, with Active Trans

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 9, 2010 at 9:09am

Wow Ethan, apparently the semantics grant money came through...

Insurance companies use "event."

Active Transportation Alliance said:

For Chicagoland bicyclists (and pedestrians), Active Trans offers our Crash Support Hotline 312.869.HELP (4357) and online resources www.activetrans.org/crashsupport. We can help out with referrals and resources for crash survivors.

Also on a point of language, the blog uses the term "accident" instead of "crash." We advocate for "crash." (thanks for using "collision," Michael).

We consider the term "accident" to be misleading and frequently inaccurate. While many crashes are unintended, it is questionable that all are unavoidable, which the term "accident" implies. This is particularly true in cases where the crash is not witnessed by a third party.

"Accident" removes fault and minimizes an often preventable outcome, including death and serious injury.

"Crash" is the most accurate way to describe the events of a car hitting a pole, a pedestrian, a bicyclist or another car.

Keep it in mind, Chainlinkers!

Thanks,
Ethan, with Active Trans

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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on September 9, 2010 at 9:32am

This is actually a "key message" that we use with media when reporters use "accident." Part of our ongoing efforts to change the way the media and public think about crashes.

I don't think "event" will work for our purposes.

Ethan, with Active Trans

PS: if you do know about any semantics grant money, send them our way!

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on September 9, 2010 at 2:36pm

Maybe I read it to fast but I see nothing about calling the police and that should be an immediate reaction.

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Permalink Reply by Liam on September 9, 2010 at 5:37pm

For those who didn't see it immediately via the supplied link, here's the actual primer on what to do following a crash:
http://www.activetrans.org/crashsupport/faq

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Permalink Reply by Bicycle Poet on September 9, 2010 at 6:43pm

Fitting that this should be top of the Chainlink discussion board at this moment, as I just learned 30 minutes ago that a good friend of mine was in a collision this evening with her bike and a car.

It happened at the intersection of Wrightwood and Sheffield. My friend was going straight through the intersection and had a green that turned yellow as she entered. The auto driver was on her cell phone waiting to make a left. They both made eye contact, and then the auto driver proceeded to try to make a left and ended up cutting into the path of my on-coming friend, causing a head-on collision. My friend was riding a spare bike of mine, which is damaged. More importantly, my friend has a few cuts and bruises and is a bit shaken up by the event. She was wearing a helmet so at least she's not in the hospital.

It was my friend's first bike collision, and she was in such a state of shock after it happened that she felt embarrassed and actually rode off instead of pursuing the police. Apparently the auto driver just looked at her emotionless after the collision, undoubtedly stunned at the wreck she invited with her negligent driving.

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