car accident; automobile accident
A straightforward compound noun referring to any traffic accident involving a car.
There was a car accident on the highway yesterday.
The number of car accidents is decreasing year by year.
交通事故 is a broader term for any traffic accident (including bicycles, pedestrians, etc.), while 自動車事故 specifically refers to accidents involving automobiles.
Compound of 自動車 (automobile) and 事故 (accident).