Injured in a Ride-Share Accident?
PARENTING LESSONS FROM MR. ROGERS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
Fred Rogers may have passed away in 2003, but the world he created remains with us. In 2018, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” documented his life and outlook, and in 2019, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” depicted Rogers and the journalist whose life was changed by the star of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
These movies demonstrate that we’re still fascinated with the man
behind Daniel Tiger and King Friday. Why? In part because the lessons Rogers so thoughtfully depicted are as relevant for today’s generation as they were for those who grew up watching his show. In fact, given the worldwide events of the Covid-19 crisis, Mr. Rogers’ lessons in how to support children just might be more important than ever. IMAGINATIVE PLAY IS A FOUNDATION OF CHILDHOOD. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood,” Rogers said. Rogers knew that play, which can seem inconsequential to grown-ups, is an important part of childhood development. Imaginative play allows children to step outside of their own perspective and experience another. In the process, they engage in abstract thinking and expand their universe. Mr. Rogers encouraged viewers to use their imaginations by creating a fantastical world called the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. WE ALL DESERVE TO BE LOVED. Rogers knew that not everyone has someone at home who tells them that they are special and loved. So he took it upon himself to tell viewers, ending each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” by saying, “You’ve made this day a special day by just your being you.” FEELINGS ARE MENTIONABLE AND MANAGEABLE. Rogers helped viewers understand that it’s okay to feel mad, sad, and scared, and he helped countless children learn healthy ways to cope with tough emotions. This was a mission dear to his heart. Margaret McFarland, a child psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh who became the chief psychological consultant for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” shared with Rogers the concept he turned to again and again on the show: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and whatever is mentionable can be more manageable.” Of especially great value during the coronavirus pandemic, are Mr. Rogers’ approaches to helping children cope with world-shattering events. He used the principles outlined above, to help children feel safe and loved and to instill in them a confidence that they have the inner strength to go forward. From the Challenger shuttle disaster to 9/11 and through numerous other times of great upheaval, Mr. Rogers returned to his rock solid ideals for emotionally nurturing children. Actually, the “child within each of us,” would do well to consider and take to heart Fred Rogers’ views. You can explore more of Mr. Rogers’ enduring messages at MisterRogers. org. Share “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” with your children and show them a world where they can grow, learn, and play.
Ride-sharing has changed how we New Yorkers go from point A to point B. Before 2010, it was not a “thing” to hail a cab, or pay the fare, for that matter, through a smartphone app. These days, ride- sharing companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Via have become the preferred method of travel for many. The increase in popularity of ride-sharing also has led to an increase in accidents involving ride- share drivers. Passengers in ride-sharing vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and the drivers and passengers of other vehicles — including trucks, busses, or motorcycles — can all be injured by ride-share drivers and pursue monetary compensation. Generally, if the driver is logged into the ride-share app and is headed to or transporting a passenger, they are “on the clock.” This may trigger liability for the ride-share company for an accident the ride-share driver was involved in. By contrast, a ride-share driver who has just dropped for a passenger, has logged out of the app and is on their way home when the accident happens is off the clock and the ride-share company may not be financially responsible. Aside from no-fault claims, those injured in New York state car accidents typically make claims under the bodily injury (BI) liability policy of the other vehicle(s) in the accident or under the supplemental underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage of the vehicle they were in. Unfortunately, New York state mandates a minimum of only $25,000 each for BI and SUM, and tragically, this is often insufficient to compensate the injured victim. In some cases, however, ride-share coverage for liability and SUM can be as much as $1,250,000 each. Therefore, if it can be shown that the driver was “on the clock,” an injured person has hope that his or her claim will have a more just financial outcome. We at Friedman & Simon L.L.P. know all the intricacies of ride- share accident cases. We invite you to call us today for a free, no- obligation case review.
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