Accident

An accident is an unintended event that usually occurs unexpectedly and may cause injury, damage, or loss.

An accident is an unintended event that usually occurs unexpectedly and may cause injury, damage, or loss. In ordinary usage, the term often refers to a harmful mishap, while in law and medicine it can have more specific meanings. The concept is relevant to Canadian readers through workplace safety, traffic collisions, insurance, and tort law, where accident-related injuries and liability are common legal and public-safety issues.

Definition

The ordinary meaning of accident is an unintended and usually undesirable event. Sources also note that it is commonly associated with chance, unexpectedness, or lack of deliberate intent.

Usage in law and medicine

In law, accident can refer to an unexpected happening that causes loss or injury and is not due to fault or misconduct. In medicine, the word may describe sudden significant bodily events, especially those that are injurious.

Types and examples

Accidents may involve traffic collisions, workplace incidents, falls, or other harmful mishaps. The term can also be used more broadly for chance occurrences without an apparent cause.

Prevention and safety

Reference sources note that many accidents are linked to identifiable risks and can often be prevented through safety precautions and awareness. Accidents occur in homes, workplaces, hospitals, sports settings, and transportation contexts.