What Is the Difference in Meaning Between a Crash and an Accident?What Is the Difference in Meaning Between a Crash and an Accident?

When talking about car incidents, people often use the words “crash” and “accident” as if they mean the same thing. But they don’t. They tell different stories about what happened. The choice of words can change how we think about the event, who is responsible, and how serious it is.

What is an Accident?

The word “accident” makes it sound like something just happened by chance. An accident is usually seen as something unexpected, unavoidable, or unlucky. For example, if you spill a drink by bumping into the table, it’s an accident. No one meant for it to happen, and it wasn’t planned.

When people call a car incident an accident, they often mean no one could do anything to stop it. It’s like saying it was just bad luck or something beyond control. But in most car crashes, someone made a mistake or broke a rule. Maybe they were speeding, distracted, or ignoring traffic signs. Calling it an “accident” makes it sound less serious, like nobody is really at fault.

What Is a Crash?

A “crash” is different. It’s when vehicles collide or hit something like a tree or a wall. The word “crash” shows that there was force involved. It also suggests that the event didn’t just happen by chance. Usually, someone’s action—or lack of action—caused it. Maybe a driver wasn’t paying attention, ran a red light, or was driving too fast.

Calling it a crash points out that the event was preventable. It didn’t just happen on its own. Some decisions led to it. For example, if someone chooses to drive while texting, that’s a decision. If a crash happens because of that, it’s not just an accident—it’s a consequence of that decision.

Why Words Matter

The words we use shape how we think. Saying “accident” can make the event seem less serious, almost like bad luck. It downplays the choices and behaviors that led to the incident. On the other hand, saying “crash” recognizes that human error or negligence often plays a big part.

For example, if a driver is drunk and hits another car, calling it an accident might seem unfair. It wasn’t just bad luck but a crash caused by someone’s reckless behavior. When law enforcement, the media, or insurance companies call it a crash, it highlights the responsibility involved.

Blame and Responsibility

Calling a car incident a crash often means someone is responsible. It could be a driver, a pedestrian, or even a problem with the road or vehicle. Saying it’s an accident, however, can blur the lines. It might make people think no one is at fault or that the event was unavoidable.

Let’s say a driver runs a red light and hits another car. If we call it an accident, it might seem like it could have happened to anyone. But if we call it a crash, it’s clear that someone’s behavior caused it. The driver didn’t accidentally run the red light—they made a choice that had consequences.

The Shift in Language

More experts and organizations now prefer using the word “crash” over “accident.” Groups like road safety advocates and traffic officials are pushing for this change. They believe that using the correct language can help reduce future crashes. When we recognize that crashes are often preventable, we focus more on safety measures, better laws, and responsible behavior.

For example, campaigns focusing on “ending crashes” push for safer driving habits, like wearing seat belts and not texting. They are more effective than those that just talk about avoiding accidents. The shift in language is part of a more significant effort to make roads safer for everyone.

How to Talk About Car Incidents

If you’re talking about a car incident, think about the message you want to send. If you want to highlight that it could have been prevented, “crash” is usually the better word. It doesn’t mean every crash is on purpose, but it does recognize that someone’s actions played a role.

Using “accident” might still be okay sometimes, especially for minor incidents beyond control. However, for more serious Events, “crash” is more accurate. It’s a simple change in language, but it can make a big difference in how we approach road safety and responsibility.

The difference between a crash and an accident isn’t just about words. It’s about how we view responsibility, prevention, and safety. Crashes often happen because of human error or choices. They’re usually not random events. By using the word “crash” instead of “accident,” we acknowledge that most incidents are preventable. It’s a slight shift that can have a bigger impact on how we address road safety and hold people accountable for their actions.

What is Property Management?What is Property Management?

Property owners often hear about property management companies and wonder what they are, in so much as how they benefit a property owner. There are many misconceptions regarding how property managers work and their responsibilities, as well as what sort of properties property management companies can be hired to maintain.

Let’s go over the ins and outs of property management and find out if it’s a service you can benefit from.

What is Property Management? 

Property management means hiring a third party as a property manager to oversee the daily responsibilities of residential, Commercial, or industrial properties. Generally, the property manager will ensure the day-to-day repairs, maintenance, and upkeep are taken care of and is usually tasked with caring for investment properties. 

What are the Property Manager’s Responsibilities?

The essence of property management is being delegated work that the owner or developer has no time to handle. These responsibilities can range from handling tenants to ensuring the property is properly maintained, specifically, a property manager’s job can include:

• Screening potential tenants
• Signing, drafting and renewing leases 
• Collecting rent from tenants
• Arranging for repairs for the property
• Creating and adhering to property maintenance budgets
• Preparing vacant units
• Advertising the rental property
• Handling lease agreements with tenants
• Rent adjustments
• Supervising property employees
• Handling evictions and move-out processes
• Handling tax for the property
• Ensuring property compliance with the law
• Property record keeping

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it gives a good and rounded impression of what type of responsibilities you can expect property managers to take on. 

Types of Property Management

There are four types of properties that property managers are likely to work and care for:

Residential Real Estate Property

Residential properties can fall to a property management firm usually when it’s a rental space and can include:

• Single-family homes
• Multi-family homes
• Townhouses
• Apartment buildings
• Manufactured homes
• REO properties
• Vacation rentals

Commercial Property

Commercial property is commonly associated with property management companies and can include a wide range of spaces, including:

• Co-working spaces rented by the day or hour, commonly used by freelancers and contractors
• Office properties, such as doctor’s offices or large buildings with multiple offices and levels
• Retail properties, such as malls, restaurants, gas stations, and big-box stores
• Accommodation properties, such as hotels, motels, and resorts. 

Industrial Properties

An industrial property often has more responsibilities for the property managers than the other categories due to the nature of the work performed in these spaces, such as bidding for vendors and compliance with industry codes. Some of the types of properties that fall under property management companies’ purview include:

• Distribution facilities
• Warehouses
• Food packaging plants
• Automative plants
• Steel mills

Special-Use Properties

Special use, or special purpose property, means a property that is designed for a specific use and often translates to property managers needing specific skills to successfully manage them. A special-purpose property includes:

• Schools
• Colleges and universities
• Places of worship
• Resorts
• Sports arenas
• Theaters
• Senior care centers and facilities

Benefits of Having Property Management 

No matter the type of real estate property you own, there are a host of benefits to hiring a property management company, including:

Screening out problem tenants: likely the biggest headache for any real estate owner. Due to a property manager’s experience, they have the insight to see red flags and spot good qualities in a potential tenant, making the screening process more efficient and having better quality tenants long-term.

Decreasing turnover: piggybacking off the first advantage, lower turnover means stable property income and happy tenants. 
Avoiding legal issues: an experience property manager knows the housing and landlord-tenant laws: being able to navigate them while having good relationships with lawyers who specialize in these types of disputes. Some companies will also take care of fees associated with evictions or property damage issues.

Saving money on maintenance and repair: Like being connected with lawyers, an experienced real estate property manager usually works with a maintenance company that due to their professional relationship can benefit from discounted work without losing on quality. They can also stay ahead of repairs by having the time for regular inspections, reducing emergency repair costs.

Property Management For You

Now that you understand what property management is and the common responsibilities they have, along with what type of real estate they handle; do you think you’d benefit from hiring such a company?

Here at Goodale & Barbieri, we do just this. As one of the largest developers, property managers, and a leading real estate firm, we understand what to look for with tenants and the nuances of managing a property. Since 1937 we’ve handled properties of all sorts and currently over 4 million square feet of commercial property. Discover more about working with experienced experts by following the link below.
    

Goodale & Barbieri | Property Management