Collocations for accident - noun
1. unexpected event that causes damage/injury
ADJ.
dreadful, horrific, major, nasty, serious, terrible, tragic, unfortunate | fatal
a fatal road accident
a fatal road accident
minor, slight | freak
Their boat sank in a freak accident.
Their boat sank in a freak accident.
near
(= that nearly happens, but does not)
(= that nearly happens, but does not)
hit-and-run | aircraft, canoeing, car, climbing, flying, industrial, motor, nuclear, road, traffic, etc.
VERB + ACCIDENT
be involved in, have, meet with
She met with an accident while on holiday in Spain.
She met with an accident while on holiday in Spain.
cause | prevent | survive
ACCIDENT + VERB
happen, occur, take place
ACCIDENT + NOUN
prevention | rates, statistics
PREP.
in an/the ~
PHRASES
an accident involving
He was badly hurt in an accident involving two cars and a lorry.
He was badly hurt in an accident involving two cars and a lorry.
the scene of the accident
The ambulance took only six minutes to reach the scene of the accident.
The ambulance took only six minutes to reach the scene of the accident.
2. sth not planned in advance
ADJ.
pure, sheer
By pure accident he had come across the very man who could solve the mystery.
By pure accident he had come across the very man who could solve the mystery.
PREP.
by ~
We met by accident at the airport.
We met by accident at the airport.
PHRASES
be no accident that …
It is no accident that men fill most of the top jobs.
It is no accident that men fill most of the top jobs.
by accident or design
It happened, whether by accident or design, that Steve and I were the last two people to leave.
It happened, whether by accident or design, that Steve and I were the last two people to leave.