Translation guide
A collision or incident involving vehicles, pedestrians, or other road users. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 交通事故 (こうつうじこ). Depending on context, more specific terms like 車の事故 (くるまのじこ) or 人身事故 (じんしんじこ) may be used.
traffic accident
The broad, everyday term for any accident involving vehicles on the road.
The standard, neutral term for a traffic accident. Used in news, reports, and daily conversation.
There was a traffic accident yesterday.
I heard the news about a traffic accident.
Literally 'car accident'. More casual and specific to cars, but still widely understood.
Apparently there was a car accident at that intersection.
When the accident results in personal injury or death, these terms are used in official or news contexts.
For small accidents with only property damage, often used in casual conversation.
When a driver leaves the scene of an accident.
交通事故 is the formal and most common term. 車の事故 is more casual and specifically refers to car accidents, but may not include motorcycles or bicycles. In most situations, 交通事故 is safe and appropriate.
The English loanword トラフィックアクシデント is not used in Japanese. Always use 交通事故 or a more specific term.
I was in a traffic accident yesterday.
There's a traffic accident on the highway.
高速道路で死亡事故が発生しました。
A fatal accident occurred on the expressway.
I had a minor accident in the parking lot.
当て逃げされたみたいで、バンパーがへこんでる。
Looks like someone hit my car and ran; the bumper is dented.