Use of darüber vs ihn
Sample: Worüber hat sie erzählt? Über einen Unfall? Nein, darüber hat sie nicht erzählt.

Why is it 'darüber' instead of 'ihn'? Is it that 'ihn' or similar can ONLY be used with reference to a person, and all others (objects/ideas) need darüber?

Danke.

Question

Use of darüber vs ihn
Sample: Worüber hat sie erzählt? Über einen Unfall? Nein, darüber hat sie nicht erzählt.

Why is it 'darüber' instead of 'ihn'? Is it that 'ihn' or similar can ONLY be used with reference to a person, and all others (objects/ideas) need darüber?

Danke.

Answer

"Ihn" is specific, ( mostly a person , yes , but not always )
the accident here is non specific, but general
ein Unfall , an accident

You could use "Ihn" 
Worüber hat sie erzählt? Über DEN Unfall? Nein, über IHN hat sie nicht erzählt
What she was telling about ? About THE accident ? No, she wasn´t telling about IT.

Answer

Because itnis standard in German to use these structures. You could say:
Über DEN hat sie nicht ezählt.
Otherwise in normal speech you just say "darüber".

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