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Motor Vehicle Crash versus Accident: A Change in Terminology Is Necessary

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

We assert that motor vehicle crash should replace motor vehicle accident in the clinical and research lexicon of traumatologists. Crash encompasses a wider range of potential causes for vehicular crashes than does the term accident. A majority of fatal crashes are caused by intoxicated, speeding, distracted, or careless drivers and, therefore, are not accidents. Most importantly, characterizing crashes as accidents, when a driver was intoxicated or negligent, may impede the recovery of crash victims by preventing them from assigning blame and working through the emotions related to their trauma.

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Stewart, A.E., Lord, J.H. Motor Vehicle Crash versus Accident: A Change in Terminology Is Necessary. J Trauma Stress 15, 333–335 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016260130224

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016260130224

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