Your not-so-authoritative citation suggests that "accident" should not be used as a general term, which I'm inclined to agree with, but it in absolutely no way

Your not-so-authoritative citation suggests that "accident" should not be used as a general term, which I'm inclined to agree with, but it in absolutely no way suggests - as you do - that there is no such thing as an accident. Accidents do happen. Even a completely attentive and competent driver can fall prey to a mechanical failure, a rock falling in the roadway, etc. Saying that they must have been going "too fast for conditions" without any definition other than "the speed they were going when the collision occurred" is circular bullshit. As long as driving - including the driving done by others to support haughty "non drivers"' lifestyles - is necessary, there will be genuine accidents as well as collisions that are the result of recklessness or negligence.