[Grammar] Have an accident vs have a wreck

[say hello]

I had an accident three days ago.

I had had an accident three days ago.

I had a traffic accident three daysa ago.

I had a wreck three days ago.

I have been a wreck three days ago.

Which one is more natural?

 

[Skrej]

I had a wreck three days ago.

This one works as well, at least in AmE.

 

[Rover_KE]

Skrej, I would understand 'a wreck' to mean that your car was written-off (totalled) in an accident.

Do you use 'wreck' for less serious accidents?

 

[Raymott]

In AusE, a wreck isn't an accident. A wreck is the result of an accident.
"I wrecked my car" is possible, but not "I had a car wreck".

 

[Rover_KE]

Again, does that always mean a total wreck, Ray?

 

[MikeNewYork]

It does for me.

 

[Barb_D]

I'm thinking it may be more Southern.
I can clearly hear my sister referring to seeing "a wreck" on the highway or not wanting to get into "a wreck" without meaning a total loss. More than "fender-bender" though.

 

[Skrej]

Skrej, I would understand 'a wreck' to mean that your car was written-off (totalled) in an accident.

Do you use 'wreck' for less serious accidents?

Yes, I use 'wreck' and 'accident' interchangeably, with no real difference in the extent of the damage. Perhaps it's regional, but I will sometimes hear (and use) qualifiers before the two to clarify (i.e. 'bad accident' or 'small wreck').

If it's minor damage, I'm more likely to call it a 'fender-bender'.

Edit: 'wreck' can be used as a verb or noun in AmE.

 

[Raymott]

Again, does that always mean a total wreck, Ray?

Yes, it's a write-off.

Also, "getting wrecked" means becoming absolutely drunk, usually to the point of unconsciousness.

 

[Skrej]

Here are some of articles from my local paper, where they also seem to use 'wreck' and 'accident' interchangeably. Then, given the overall low quality of our local rag, it might just be sloppy writing....

Note this article, which involved a fatality, uses both terms.

This one only uses 'accident', although it too involved a fatality and fire.

This one also mixes the two terms, which again cites fatalities.

Here 'accident' = death.

Wreck/accident - with picture.

Here, they use 'accident' with a completely destroyed vehicle, again with photo of damage.

Accident/wreck - photo doesn't really show the exact extent of damage, but it doesn't appear too excessive.

Anyway, if you care to peruse their archives for 'wreck' and 'accident', there are plenty of examples, unfortunately.