“肇事”常见的英文表达有 “cause a traffic accident” 或 “be involved in an accident”（侧重于卷入事故这一行为，不一定强调是引发者，但在语境中可体现肇事含义），更强调引发事故这一动作时，也可用 “trigger an accident” 。以下是一些例句：
他因酒后驾车肇事，被依法追究刑事责任。
He was held criminally responsible for causing a traffic accident due to drunk driving.
肇事司机在事故发生后逃离了现场。
The driver who caused the accident fled the scene after it happened.