Accident vs. Incident — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
An Accident is an unplanned, often harmful, event; an Incident is any event, potentially significant or trivial, that interrupts normal routine.
Difference Between Accident and Incident
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An Accident typically implies an unforeseen event that results in harm or damage. An Incident, conversely, is a broader term encompassing any event that might disrupt normal proceedings, without necessarily causing harm.
While every Accident can be termed an Incident due to its disruptive nature, not every Incident is an Accident. For instance, an unexpected machinery breakdown is an Accident, but a routine safety drill, though disrupting work, is merely an Incident.
Insurance companies often differentiate between Accidents and Incidents when assessing claims. Accidents usually refer to events causing damage or injury, while Incidents can refer to any event, even if it hasn't caused any noticeable harm.
The word Accident often carries a more negative connotation, suggesting harm or a lack of intention. On the other hand, Incident is neutral, merely indicating something out of the ordinary occurred.
If someone gets injured in a workplace, it's referred to as a workplace Accident. If someone simply raises a safety concern which hasn't caused any harm, it might be documented as a safety Incident.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Negative, implies harm or unintended event
Neutral, any event disrupting the ordinary
Scope
Specific to unintended, harmful events
Broad, encompasses any unusual event
Result
Often results in damage or injury
Might not result in any harm
Usage
Refers to events causing harm unintentionally
Can describe any event, harmful or benign
Examples
Car crashes, machinery malfunctions
Safety drills, minor disagreements
Compare with Definitions
Accident
A mishap leading to injury.
She suffered minor injuries from the Accident at work.
Incident
An instance of conflict or trouble.
The Incident between the two coworkers was quickly resolved.
Accident
An accident is an unintended, normally unwanted event that was not directly caused by humans. The term accident implies that nobody should be blamed, but the event may have been caused by unrecognized or unaddressed risks.
Incident
A disruption to regular proceedings.
The fire drill was a minor Incident in the workday.
Accident
An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury
If you are unable to work owing to accident or sickness
He had an accident at the factory
Incident
A specific event or occurrence of interest.
Several bystanders witnessed the Incident.
Accident
An event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause
The pregnancy was an accident
It is no accident that Manchester has produced more than its fair share of professional comics
Incident
An event that could have implications.
Authorities are investigating the Incident.
Accident
(in Aristotelian thought) a property of a thing which is not essential to its nature.
Incident
A particular occurrence, especially one of minor importance.
Accident
An unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm
An accident on the assembly line.
Car accidents on icy roads.
Incident
An event in a narrative or drama.
Accident
An unforeseen event that is not the result of intention or has no apparent cause
A series of happy accidents led to his promotion.
Incident
A usually violent or disruptive occurrence, especially one that precipitates a larger crisis
An international incident that provoked war.
Accident
An instance of involuntary urination or defecation.
Incident
An occurrence that interrupts normal procedure or functioning; a mishap
The plane landed without incident.
Accident
Lack of intention; chance
Ran into an old friend by accident.
Incident
(Law) Something contingent on or related to something else.
Accident
(Philosophy) An attribute of a substance that is not essential to its nature.
Incident
Tending to arise or occur as a result or accompaniment
"There is a professional melancholy ... incident to the occupation of a tailor" (Charles Lamb).
Accident
An unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not directly caused by humans.
To die by an accident such as an act of God
Act of God
Incident
(Law) Related to or dependent on another thing.
Accident
(legal) casus; such unforeseen, extraordinary, extraneous interference as is out of the range of ordinary calculation.
Incident
(Physics) Falling upon or striking a surface
Incident radiation.
Accident
(transportation) A collision or crash of a vehicle, aircraft, or other form of transportation that causes damage to the transportation involved; and sometimes injury or death to the transportation's occupants or bystanders in close proximity.
There was a huge accident on I5 involving 15 automobiles.
My insurance went up after the second accident in three months.
Incident
An event or occurrence.
She could not recall the time of the incident.
It was an incident that he hoped to forget.
The suspect was released without further incident.
Accident
Any chance event.
Incident
A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.
Accident
(uncountable) Chance; random chance.
Incident
An event that causes or may cause an interruption or a crisis, such as a workplace illness or a software error.
Accident
Any property, fact, or relation that is the result of chance or is nonessential or nonsubstantive.
Beauty is an accident.
Lexical gaps are called accidental because their existence is by accident; it is not essential.
Incident
Arising as the result of an event, inherent.
Accident
(grammar) A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, such as gender, number, or case.
Incident
Falling on or striking a surface.
The incident light illuminated the surface.
Accident
(euphemistic) An instance of incontinence.
Incident
Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
Accident
Urine or feces excreted due to incontinence.
Incident
Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
Accident
(euphemistic) An unintended pregnancy.
Incident
(legal) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.
Accident
A person born from an unintended pregnancy.
Taylor was our sweet little accident, and we're so glad!
Well I may be annoying but at least I'm not an accident like you are
Incident
Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface.
Accident
(geology) An irregular surface feature with no apparent cause.
Incident
Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.
As the ordinary course of common affairs is disposed of by general laws, so likewise men's rarer incident necessities and utilities should be with special equity considered.
Accident
(geology) A sudden discontinuity of ground such as fault of great thickness, bed or lentil of unstable ground.{{cite book|
Incident
Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.
All chances incident to man's frail life.
The studies incident to his profession.
Accident
(heraldry) A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.
Incident
Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.
Accident
(transportation) Designating any form of transportation involved in an accident.
The NTSB report revealed that the accident airplane was a Cessna 172.
Incident
That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence.
Accident
Literally, a befalling; an event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation; an undesigned, sudden, and unexpected event; chance; contingency; often, an undesigned and unforeseen occurrence of an afflictive or unfortunate character; a casualty; a mishap; as, to die by an accident.
Of moving accidents by flood and field.
Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident:It is the very place God meant for thee.
Incident
That which happens aside from the main design; an accidental or subordinate action or event.
No person, no incident, in a play but must be of use to carry on the main design.
Accident
A property attached to a word, but not essential to it, as gender, number, case.
Incident
Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal.
Accident
A point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.
Incident
A single distinct event
Accident
A property or quality of a thing which is not essential to it, as whiteness in paper; an attribute.
Incident
A public disturbance;
The police investigated an incident at the bus station
Accident
Any accidental property, fact, or relation; an accidental or nonessential; as, beauty is an accident.
This accident, as I call it, of Athens being situated some miles from the sea.
Incident
Falling or striking on something
Accident
Unusual appearance or effect.
Incident
(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence;
Incidental expenses
The road will bring other incidental advantages
Extra duties incidental to the job
Labor problems incidental to a rapid expansion
Confusion incidental to a quick change
Accident
A mishap; especially one causing injury or death
Accident
Anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause
Accident
An unforeseen event causing harm or damage.
The car Accident caused major traffic delays.
Accident
An event occurring unintentionally. T
He spill was a genuine Accident, not a deliberate act.
Accident
An unplanned event with negative outcomes.
It was an Accident that he missed the crucial meeting.
Accident
A chance occurrence without deliberate intent.
Meeting her at the cafe was a happy Accident.
Common Curiosities
Is every Accident also an Incident?
Yes, every Accident can be termed an Incident, but not vice versa.
Which is broader in scope, Accident or Incident?
Incident, as it can describe any unusual event.
Can an Incident be a positive event?
While usually neutral, "Incident" can describe any event, even positive ones.
Does an Accident always imply negligence?
Not always. An Accident is unintentional, but it doesn't always indicate negligence.
Can an Incident be a routine event?
It's typically something unusual, but in some contexts, routine events disrupting normalcy can be termed Incidents.
Is a planned event ever an Incident?
Typically no, as "Incident" suggests an event that disrupts the norm.
Can you describe a fun event as an Accident?
Yes, if it's unexpected and unintended, like a chance meeting with a friend.
Do insurance companies treat Accidents and Incidents differently?
Often, yes. Accidents usually imply damage or injury, while Incidents might not.
Do all Incidents need reporting?
It depends on the context. In some settings, like workplaces, even minor Incidents may need documentation.
If no one's hurt, is a car crash still an Accident?
Yes, an Accident can refer to property damage even if no one's injured.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
