An accident is an event that occurs unintentionally and is typically undesired, not directly caused by humans. While the term “accident” implies that no one should be blamed, it acknowledges that the event may have been caused by unrecognized or unaddressed risks. Many researchers who study unintentional injuries prefer to avoid using the term “accident” and instead focus on identifying factors that increase the risk of severe injury and strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries.
Accidents can be classified into physical and non-physical categories. Physical accidents involve events such as motor vehicle collisions, falls, injuries from sharp or hot objects, or collisions while walking. Non-physical accidents encompass actions like unintentionally revealing a secret, making verbal mistakes, accidentally deleting data, or forgetting appointments.
Accidents can also be categorized based on the activity during which they occur. Work accidents happen during the execution of work or as a result of work-related activities. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), millions of work accidents occur annually, resulting in a significant number of deaths and occupational diseases. On the other hand, leisure-related accidents are primarily sports injuries that occur during recreational activities.
When it comes to accidents involving vehicles, such as car collisions, it is important to note that they are often preventable and not true accidents. Factors like drunk driving and speeding contribute to a significant portion of vehicle collisions. The use of the term “accident” to describe car wrecks gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to media manipulation by the US automobile industry. They aimed to portray vehicle-related deaths and injuries as unavoidable, natural occurrences rather than problems that could be addressed. However, since 1994, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has discouraged the use of the word “accident” to describe vehicle collisions, emphasizing the preventable nature of such incidents.
Common causes of fatal injuries include poisoning, vehicle collisions, and falls. According to data from the National Vital Statistics System and the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States, falls, poisoning, and fire/burn injuries are the leading causes of death resulting from accidents that occur at home. To gather injury data, the United States employs various systems such as the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which collects information from emergency departments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides extensive statistics on workplace accidents, and the National Health Interview Survey collects data on emergency department visits.
It is crucial to study accidents, their causes, and prevention strategies to enhance safety and reduce the incidence of injuries in various settings, including workplaces and homes.