When a driver hits another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, we can be too quick to blame the victim for the accident instead of the at-fault driver. This unfair victim accusation is based in part on human psychology, and unfortunately, negligent drivers and their insurers take advantage of this to serve their own interests.
Why Blame Road Accident Victims?
In September 2016, 53-year-old Eduardo Dill was crossing the street in El Paso when he was fatally struck by a Ford F-150. Police claimed that the reason for the collision was Dill’s failure to yield the right of way to vehicles, as he did not use a crosswalk when he traveled across the road in his electric wheelchair.
The police department’s statement on this tragedy angered many analysts. It was highlighted that El Paso, and Texas in general, had a serious problem with road deaths, and that negligent driver behavior (like speeding) was a major contributing factor. Many commentators also used Dill’s case to highlight the shortage of crosswalks in Texas.
However, despite the outcry caused by the framing of Eduardo Dill’s death, the same problem remains prevalent today. As a society, we often insist on pointing the finger of blame at car accident victims, rather than at-fault drivers.
The Psychology of Victim-Blaming
Some thinkers have proposed that victim-blaming is a form of subconscious self-defense. In this article from The Guardian, the writer muses that we may blame victims to preserve our “just-world bias,” to retain the notion that bad things don’t happen to good people and that victims of misfortune must be somehow responsible for their situation.
We want to believe that the world is a safe place, and that nothing bad will happen – at least to us. While this is understandable to some extent, it can put accident victims in unnecessarily difficult situations.
Facing Facts
The majority of traffic accidents occur because of fault on the part of at least one road user. There are exceptions, such as cases involving misleading road signals, obstacles, or malfunctions in self-driving vehicles, but such circumstances are not the norm.
Whether it’s speeding, aggressive driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or distracted driving, most accidents occur because of some form of driver negligence.
The Dangers Posed by Blaming the Victim
Wrongly placing the blame on victims isn’t just unpleasant for those who have already been injured; it also increases the risk for every other road user.
Consider those who use bicycles to get around. Cyclists must remain within their sliver of the road while cars and trucks whizz by, just inches away. Rather than doing everything possible to accommodate these more vulnerable road users, drivers continue to endanger cyclists, and even grumble that they should have their own “roadways,” rather than traveling alongside cars.
Motorcyclists often have it just as bad. The film industry has characterized “bikers” as reckless ne’er-do-wells for over 60 years, so a lot of people have come to believe that all bikers are wild and out of control. However, the average American motorcyclist nowadays is 50 years old, according to Gitnux. A huge percentage of our nation’s bikers are family people who take their motorcycles out on the road lawfully, whether for transport or leisure. Why should they receive different treatment than any other category of road user?
(It is important to acknowledge that motorcycle accidents can result from a variety of causes, and that responsible riding and road safety are crucial for all motorcyclists.)
What Should We Do Differently?
The switching of blame from at-fault driver to victim distracts us from the fact that too many drivers injure others in wrecks because they drive unsafely, that city engineers don’t always design safe roadways, and that vehicle manufacturers sometimes fail to make their cars, trucks, and motorbikes safe and reliable.
We’re not saying that this is a black-and-white issue. But the first step toward viewing vehicle crash victims fairly is to lose our preconceptions, which can run much deeper than many of us are willing to admit.
Getting the Help You Need After a Texas Road Accident
If you or a family member has been injured in a road accident, the legal team at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant is here to help you recover full and fair compensation from the negligent party who injured you.
Reach out to us now for a free case evaluation through the contact feature of this website, or call (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
