What a wonderful feeling it is to buy a new car, isn’t it? When doing so, what do you normally check for? Gas mileage? Safety features? Style? There are a lot of factors to keep in mind. But one important detail that is often overlooked is the color of your car. Believe it or not, the color and shade of color could actually make a difference in the chances of getting into an accident.
Studies show that in Missouri, black cars are 12% more likely to be involved in car crashes, followed by gray cars at 11%, in the daylight compared to more clearly visible white cars.
This sounds crazy, doesn’t it? And you might be wondering, “What on earth does color have to do with accidents? In this article by our award-winning St. Louis car accident lawyers at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we’ll explain how car color factors into crash risk in Missouri.
We’ve included comparisons and stats based on recent studies, so you can choose the best color for your next car without putting your life at risk, or even if you’re just curious to know what the relation between color and crashes is.
Are Certain Car Colors More Likely to Be Involved in Car Accidents?
So, as we were saying, yes, colors do matter when it comes to cars. The color of your car could raise the possibility of you being involved in an accident. Why? It’s all about visibility. Darker colors like black or grey tend to blend into the background, especially when the light is low, making it hard for other fellow drivers to see you.
Instead, clear colors, like trusty old white, stand out more, so it’s easier to see them and avoid a crash.
But it’s not just a “known fact.” When it comes to popular car colors, according to data from the Kelley Blue Book, white seems to be the top choice for most cars, including sedans, SUVs, and trucks, since it is more visible to the point of being considered the safest color on the road. Compared to white (or any clear color, really), other darker colors appear to have a higher risk of being in an accident:
- Black – 12% higher risk
- Gray – 11% higher risk
- Silver – 10% higher risk
- Blue – 7% higher risk
- Red – 7% higher risk
The takeaway is not to panic and only buy white cars. If you absolutely love dark-colored cars, this doesn’t mean you can’t have one. It just means you have to be smart about it. Be aware of the risk and drive more carefully, especially at nighttime, knowing that other cars may not see you. Use the information you now have and make your decisions, always having safety in mind.
Why Do Black Cars Have a Higher Accident Risk?
We do agree that black cars are gorgeous. That sleek and sophisticated look black cars have has made them as popular as they’ve always been. But it also comes with some hidden danger no one mentions to you. They have very low visibility on the road.
Research shows that black vehicles have a 12% higher risk of getting in a crash compared to white cars. It is kind of a surprise, but keep in mind that black cars are not inherently bad. We are not saying that if you buy a black car, someone is immediately going to crash into it.
What this really means is that black cars, due to their dark color, are harder to see. And it is not only at night; during the day, they can blend in with the surroundings, especially with the pavement, and even more during overcast weather. If other drivers can’t see you properly, they might not react in time, ending with you being hit.
Again, if you are a black-car lover, this doesn’t have to be your goodbye. All this means is that you have to be aware of the risk your car has and be extra careful while on the road so you can protect yourself and your car.
Using your headlights earlier in the evening, staying extra alert in heavy traffic, and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles can help make up for the lack of visibility and keep you safer out there.
Car Color in Order of The Most Dangerous to the Least Dangerous
Picking a new car can be difficult. There are too many options and too many things to take into consideration. You might think of how comfortable it is for you and your family, how much mileage it gets on a full tank, the features it comes with, or even how good it looks (or how good you look in it).
And yes, you might think of the color mostly as a preference. But did you ever think the color you choose could impact the risk of you being crashed into by others? It might sound unbelievable, but relevant studies have shown that color does make a huge difference on the road since some colors seem to tend to be involved in crashes more often than others.
We have prepared a list below ranking how different car colors rank in terms of accident risk, from the most dangerous to the safest:
Black Cars – The Riskiest Choice
Leading the rank, we have the luxurious and elegant black cars, which have the highest rate of accidents of them all. Research has shown that they are harder to spot out there. During the day, black cars have a 12% higher risk of being crashed, and at night, that number goes up to 47% due to their ability to disappear in the darkness.
Gray Cars – Easily Overlooked
Gray cars are too far behind when it comes to risk, with an 11% chance of being in danger. This is because, similar to black cars, they don’t contrast much with roads or cloudy skies, making them difficult to see.
Silver Cars – A Mixed Bag
Silver cars are a little bit more tricky; they can be kind of difficult to measure. It would really depend on the shade and how luminous the specific color you have is. Nevertheless, some studies assure they are just as risky as grey cars, putting them at a 10% higher chance of being in an accident, while others state they are even safer than we think. Again, it would depend on the shade and light conditions.
Blue and Red Cars – Somewhere in the Middle
Blue and red cars are tied up in the middle of the scale, each with about a 7% higher accident rate than white cars. Lighter shades of blue may be more visible, but darker ones can blend into the sky or road. Now, there’s this sort of myth with red cars; they have a reputation of attracting police attention, but they aren’t the most dangerous choice, and they’re not the safest either.
Green Cars – Safe, But Situational
Another tricky color is green. They are not linked with any higher risk of being in car accidents, but their visibility actually depends on the environment. In rural areas with lots of trees and grass, they can blend into the background, making them harder to see. On the other hand, in the city, you should be mostly safe.
Gold and Orange Cars – Eye-Catching and Safer
Even though gold and orange cars are less common, maybe too flashy for some people, their color stands out in the streets. Since they are easy to see, they have a lower risk of being crashed.
White Cars – A Popular and Safe Choice
White is one of the most popular colors, and they earned it. It’s very visible in both daylight and at night. White cars are involved in fewer accidents than darker-colored ones, making them one of the safest options.
Yellow Cars – The Best Choice for Safety
Now, to the winner of the day. If you want to maximize visibility and safety, yellow is your guy. Studies show that yellow cars have the lowest crash risk because their bright color is easy to see in almost any situation.
This is not meant to be taken as a “you can only have cars of certain colors.” The color of your car is not the only factor that determines if you have an accident or not; it is just something worth considering in the decision-making process when it comes to choosing a car. Having this in mind could lower the risk of you suffering an accident and protect your safety.
Factors Which Impact The Risks Associated With Car Colors
We chatted about how color affects your possibilities of being in an accident, but we also talked about how it’s not the only factor. Things like the lighting, weather, and even how drivers see some colors can make them more dangerous than others in some situations.
How Time of Day Affects Visibility
The time of day can change a lot in how visible a car is on the road. Dark-colored cars, like black or gray, are much harder to see in low-light conditions such as dawn, dusk, or nighttime. Without being able to set them apart from everything else, they turn almost invisible to other drivers. But lighter-colored cars, like white or yellow, stand out more, making them easier to spot even in dim lighting.
Weather and Road Conditions Matter
Rain, fog, snow – it’s like a big, gray coat covering everything. Dark colors disappear into it. But light colors stay easier to see; they stand out more against cloudy or snowy backdrops, raising their visibility. Even the type of road matters. Dark-colored cars may be more difficult to see in areas with shadows, while green or brown cars can blend into wooded or rural areas.
How Driver Perception Comes Into Play
The physical conditions are very important, but how drivers see some colors is relevant as well. Some people’s instincts react faster to bright colors than others, which gives them plenty of time to react.
People with dark-colored cars might already know about it and be more careful with how they drive. This is not always the same. Some people might just think their cars are easy to see and be too confident about it.
At the end of the day, it is not just about thinking it’s the color or the weather. You have to be smart, keeping both eyes on the road and always trying to be as safe as you can, following the rules and using your headlights when you have to. Use this info to be aware out there and make good decisions about it.
Top Rated Auto Accident Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri
No matter the color of your car or how safe the roads are, life happens. You can be out about your day, and out of the blue, someone crashes into you, changing it all. At that moment, you might feel desperate and overwhelmed. Here is when we come in.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we know how life can change in an instant after a car crash. You are now stressed, having to deal with bills and insurance companies, maybe even injuries, and having to miss work.
We are here to help car accident victims across Missouri go through the legal process with confidence and come out on the other side. So, if you’re going through something like this, do not hesitate to contact our legal team.
You don’t have to do it alone; we can help and support you in this difficult time, fighting for you and getting you the compensation you deserve for all you’ve been through. Give us a call, and let’s talk about how we can help you get back on your feet.
