Legal Definitions - accidere

Accidere is a Latin term used in civil law to describe an event or occurrence that happens or befalls someone or something. It refers to an incident taking place, often unexpectedly, or a consequence arising from a particular situation.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of "accidere":

• Contractual Obligations: Imagine a scenario where a company is contracted to deliver a specialized piece of machinery by a specific date. However, a sudden and severe storm *accidere* (occurs) at the port of origin, causing significant delays in shipping and making it impossible for the company to meet the original deadline. This illustrates how an unforeseen event "happens to" or "befalls" the circumstances surrounding the contract, potentially impacting the parties' obligations.

• Property Damage: Consider a situation where a landlord leases an apartment to a tenant. During the tenancy, a tree on an adjacent property unexpectedly falls onto the leased building due to strong winds, causing structural damage. This damage *accidere* (befalls) the property, creating a need to determine responsibility for repairs and potential impact on the lease agreement.

• Legal Consequences: In a case involving a public nuisance, if a factory's continuous emissions *accidere* (cause to happen) respiratory illnesses among residents of a nearby community, the illnesses are a direct consequence that "befalls" the community due to the factory's actions. This demonstrates how a specific outcome or harm "happens to" individuals as a result of another party's conduct.