What term describes an event that causes unintentional injury?

The term "accident" is used to describe an event that causes unintentional injury. An accident typically refers to an unforeseen event that results in harm or damage. It emphasizes the aspect of unintentionality, meaning that the outcome was not planned or desired, distinguishing it from actions that are intentional or negligent.

In the context of public safety and law, understanding accidents is crucial for developing strategies to prevent them and enhance safety protocols. For example, accidents can occur in various scenarios, such as traffic incidents, workplace mishaps, or household injuries, highlighting the need for effective safety measures.

Other terms like incident, negligence, and liability have different implications. While an "incident" can encompass any event, including accidents, it lacks the specific connotation of unintentional injury. "Negligence" refers to a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances, which can sometimes lead to accidents but is more about the breach of duty. "Liability" deals with the legal responsibility to compensate for harm or damage, again not specifically defining an unintentional injury event. Thus, "accident" is the most precise term for describing such occurrences.