Accidents

An accident is an unintended, unplanned event that results in injury, illness, or damage to people, property, or the environment. Accidents are distinguished from deliberate harm in that they occur without intent, though they may be caused by risk factors such as human error, mechanical failure, or hazardous conditions. The term covers a wide range of events, including road traffic crashes, workplace injuries, domestic mishaps, and environmental or structural failures.

Common categories include transportation accidents (cars, motorcycles, trains, aircraft), occupational accidents (slips, falls, equipment failures), domestic accidents (poisoning, burns, drowning), and industrial incidents (chemical spills, fires). Some events involve multiple causes, including fatigue, distraction, unsafe work practices, faulty equipment, poor maintenance, weather, or design flaws.

Prevention relies on a combination of engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment. Approaches include hazard analysis, safety training, secure maintenance schedules, guardrails and fail-safes, clear signaling, emergency response plans, and public safety campaigns. Legislation and standards, product design, and organizational culture influence accident risk. Reducing exposure to hazards and improving rapid response can lower the severity and frequency of accidents.

Consequences of accidents range from minor injuries to fatalities, along with economic costs, psychological impact, and disruption to families and communities. Data on accidents inform safety policies and research in engineering, medicine, and public health.

Near-misses and reporting systems are used to identify risks before accidents occur, supporting continuous safety improvement.