Many people assume that red cars are involved in car accidents at a much higher rate than non-red cars. Maybe the assumption comes from red sports cars that are often built for speed.
It could be that some people associate red with danger. Whatever the reason might be for the assumption, the assumption is incorrect.
Red cars are not involved in more car accidents than vehicles of other colors. In fact, studies indicate that black cars are actually the most dangerous color vehicle on the road.
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What Colors of Cars Have the Highest Risk of Being Involved in an Accident?
Let’s look at some of the most dangerous car colors, according to a Monash University study.
Black Cars
As stated above, black cars have a higher risk of being involved in a car accident than other colored cars. Black vehicles had a 12-percent higher crash risk compared to white cars.
One reason black cars might be involved in more accidents is that they can be more difficult to see at night. Black cars also do not stand out as much as cars with brighter colors.
Grey Cars
Grey cars followed black cars very closely in crash risk, experiencing slightly fewer accidents than black cars. Grey vehicles had an 11-percent higher crash risk compared to white vehicles.
The reasons grey cars might be more likely to be involved in car accidents are similar to the reasons for black vehicles. Grey cars do not stand out and tend to blend into the background. Also, during poor weather conditions, it can be more difficult to see grey vehicles.
Silver Cars
Silver cars are just under grey cars for crash risk. They have a 10-percent higher risk of being in an accident compared to white cars.
Silver vehicles share the same problem with grey vehicles of being difficult to be seen in poor weather conditions. A silver vehicle can also blend into city backgrounds, especially when surrounded by tall, metallic buildings.
Blue and Red Cars
Blue and red cars had just a 7-percent higher crash risk compared to white vehicles. The reason might be that the colors are more vibrant and catch the eyes of other drivers more than darker colors.
Blue cars can blend in with the sky in open areas, but are less likely to blend into the background on interstates and city streets. Red cars could blend in with traffic lights, stop signs, and emergency vehicles, but it is not as likely as with darker-colored vehicles.
What Are the Safest Colored Cars?
Researchers argue about which colors are safer for vehicles. However, it is the lighter colored cars that are at the top of the list, except for grey and silver.
Many studies claim that white is the safest car color. Cream, beige, and yellow ranked high on the list for safe car colors, but not as high as white. It could be that white does not blend in with the surroundings as easily as other colors.
Yellow and beige cars do not blend in well with their surroundings either. Yellow is a vibrant color that stands out against most backgrounds and in traffic. The same is true for gold cars.
Surprisingly, black and white cars are the most popular car color choices for cars on the road nationwide, respectively. Grey, silver, and blue make up the top five color choices. Yellow did not make the top 11 list.
Consider a Car’s Safety Features When Choosing a Car
It may be useful to know that white cars are safer than black cars, but the car’s safety features are more important when choosing a vehicle. Regardless of a car’s color, it can be involved in an accident.
Choosing a vehicle that has a high crash-test rating and has the latest car safety features can reduce your risk of injury or death if you are involved in a traffic accident.
Some of the car safety features you might want to consider include:
- Forwards collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Side airbags or side curtain airbags
- Backup camera
- Electronic stability control
- Blindspot detection
Newer vehicles may have many of the above features as standard features. If not, you can add safety features to many of the newer vehicle models when you purchase your vehicle.
Car Color May Not Be the Most Relevant Factor in Crash Risk
Color is not everything–there is no true “safe color” for a vehicle. While white cars appear to have a lower crash risk than other colors of cars, there are still many traffic accidents involving white vehicles. A driver’s behavior may have more to do with crash risk than the color of a car.
Poor driving decisions and dangerous driving behaviors account for most of the traffic accidents and resulting injuries in Florida.
Common factors in car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving/cell phone use
- Impaired driving (drugged and drunk driving)
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Failure to follow traffic laws
Other factors that might also play a role in the cause of a car crash include inexperience, poor weather conditions, and hazardous road conditions. In some cases, a defective automobile part, such as defective tires, could be a factor in the cause of a car wreck.
Who is Responsible for Damages Caused by a Car Accident?
When another driver’s negligence or wrongdoing leads to a car accident, the driver could be liable for damages caused by the wreck.
Even though Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents, victims who meet the serious injury threshold can sue the at-fault driver for damages.
Serious injuries are defined by statute. Injuries that result in permanent impairments, scarring, or loss of bodily function generally meet the threshold.
The at-fault driver could be liable for damages such as:
- Lost wages, income, and benefits
- Cost of medical treatment, physical therapy, and personal care
- Impairments and disabilities
- Decreases in earning potential
- Mental, emotional, and physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
If the at-fault driver does not have liability car insurance, which is not required in Florida, the driver could be personally liable for the damages.
While liability insurance is not required, it is recommended. If you are involved in a crash without liability insurance, the accident victim might obtain a personal judgment.
Your income and assets could be at risk if you do not have the resources to pay the judgment.
Contact Our Florida Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, we are here to help.
Call the law offices of Hollander Law Firm at (561) 347-7770 for a free consultation today.
Get the answers to your questions about car accident claims and a free assessment of your case from an experienced personal injury attorney.
Free no-obligation consultation!