Car accident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Car accident" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an incident involving a vehicle collision. Example: "After the car accident, the driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Car accident stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

"Car accident?" No, just stressed.

Huffington Post

Was it a car accident?

The New York Times

No, nota car accident.

The New York Times - Books

A car accident?

The New York Times - Books

His car accident offered him similar lessons.

The New York Times - Books

He died in a car accident.

The New York Times - Sports

This was not a car accident.

The New York Times

"Just like a hideous car accident".

The New York Times - Arts

"It was like a car accident".

The New York Times

A car accident changed that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "Car accident", be specific about the details if possible, such as the location, time, and severity of the incident. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Instead of just saying "There was a car accident", provide more context. For example, specify "There was a serious car accident on Highway 101, resulting in traffic delays" to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Car accident" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, denoting an incident involving a collision of one or more cars. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Car accident" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe a collision involving one or more cars. According to Ludwig, it is widely employed in neutral registers across various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "traffic collision" or "motor vehicle accident" exist for more formal or technical settings, "Car accident" remains a universally understood and accepted term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Road traffic collision

Replaces "Car accident" with a more formal and technical term often used in official reports.

Motor vehicle accident

Substitutes "Car" with "Motor vehicle", offering a broader term that includes other types of vehicles.

Traffic collision

Shortens "Car accident" to a more concise phrase focusing on the collision aspect.

Vehicle crash

Replaces "Accident" with "Crash", emphasizing the impact of the event.

Automobile accident

Swaps "Car" for "Automobile", providing a slightly more formal alternative.

Road accident

Replaces "Car accident" with a more general term that could include other types of road incidents.

Traffic incident

Substitutes "Accident" with "Incident", broadening the scope to include events that may not involve a collision.

Smashup

Uses an informal term for a car crash, suggesting a more severe accident.

Fender bender

Employs a colloquial term for a minor car accident, typically with minimal damage.

Pile-up

Refers to an accident involving multiple vehicles, indicating a larger-scale collision.

FAQs

What is another way to say "Car accident"?

You can use alternatives like "traffic collision", "motor vehicle accident", or "vehicle crash" depending on the context and formality.

Is it appropriate to say "Car accident" in formal writing?

Yes, "Car accident" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, for more technical or official contexts, "motor vehicle accident" or "traffic collision" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "Car accident" and "Car crash"?

While both terms are often used interchangeably, "Car crash" often implies a more severe incident with significant damage compared to "Car accident".

How do I report on a "Car accident" accurately?

When reporting on a "Car accident", include specific details such as the location, time, vehicles involved, and any injuries. Use credible sources and avoid speculation.