A study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre found that darker-colored cars such as black vehicles have a higher accident rate, and white vehicles are safer due to increased visibility.
White cars may be easier to see, while dark cars may be harder to detect in certain lighting conditions. Yet, as experienced car accident attorneys, we know that vehicles of any color can get into serious car accidents, especially when negligent drivers or drunk drivers are involved.
If you have been injured in an Atlanta car accident caused by another driver, you should speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer to clarify your legal rights. You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speak with an accident lawyer in Atlanta to learn more.
What Makes Black Cars Harder to See?
The 2007 study by researchers at Monash University Accident Research Centre in Australia found that black cars had a 12 percent higher crash risk than white vehicles due to visibility. The researchers analyzed 17 years of car crash data that resulted in death, injury, or a vehicle being towed away as they reached their conclusion.
According to the study, black cars were involved in significantly more accidents during dawn or dusk. Black cars had a lower contrast to the surrounding environment making them harder to see during periods of lower visibility. At night, the use of headlights cancels the effect of car color as a factor, the researchers said.
What Color Cars Are Least Likely to Be Involved in a Car Accident?
The Monash University researchers said white-colored vehicles had the lowest crash risk in all light conditions due to their higher contrast to the surrounding road environment. Light-colored cars that were beige, cream, or yellow ranked close to white cars in terms of lower crash risk.
Car color was less significant as a risk factor at night because drivers have their headlights on when driving at night, the study found.
More recent studies, such as one from the University of Dayton, found no statistically significant difference in the rate of accidents based on car color. However, based on the Dayton study’s data, multicolored cars were the most likely to get into accidents, while azure (clear-sky blue) cars were the least likely.
Can a Car’s Color Have a Relationship to the Severity of a Car Accident in Georgia?
A car’s color does not relate to the severity of auto accidents. While some studies suggest certain car colors are harder to see during certain times of the day, that would impact the rate of collisions, not the severity.
The severity of a car crash is related to the speed and models of the vehicles involved, the car’s safety features, and the speed upon impact. For example, a high-speed, head-on collision will be more severe than a low-speed fender-bender, and a T-bone collision resulting in a rollover will be more severe than a sideswipe accident.
If you or your loved one suffered serious injuries in a car wreck, you may have a right to hold the at-fault party accountable and seek a fair settlement from the other driver’s insurance company. Speak with an Atlanta auto accident attorney about your legal options.
Will a Car’s Color Have an Effect on the Cost of Insurance?
Your car’s color does not affect your insurance rates, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That’s an urban myth. Instead, your insurance costs are based on factors such as the driver’s driving record, the make and model of the car, its engine size, the vehicle’s safety features, and the cost to repair it.
However, many people still mistakenly believe that car color can affect their insurance premiums. One misconception is that drivers of red cars are more likely to speed and receive traffic tickets more frequently, leading to higher insurance coverage rates. However, no definitive data shows this to be the case. It may simply be that red vehicles stand out, so people are more likely to remember seeing a red vehicle breaking the law than other colored vehicles.
While color biases may not impact your auto insurance costs, they can impact your insurance claim. For example, a witness’s testimony could be influenced by their biases relating to car colors. If you were driving a red car, a witness may assume you are an aggressive driver and were at fault for an accident and provide a statement saying as much. An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can challenge these kinds of biases and misconceptions during the course of a car accident case.
Can a Car’s Color Affect a Driver’s Personality While Driving?
A study from the University of Southern Brittany found that other drivers were more aggressive toward red cars. This could be because they viewed the drivers of red cars as more aggressive despite the tested actions being the same across multiple car colors.
Another study in Psychological Science found that males who choose the color red over blue tend to have higher testosterone levels and may be more prone to aggression. While this study wasn’t about car colors specifically, it could indicate that a driver’s personality influences their choice of car color.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been in a Georgia motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, contact the Atlanta car accident attorneys at Bayuk Pratt for a free case evaluation. An experienced car accident lawyer can review the circumstances of your car wreck and discuss whether you are entitled to file a car accident lawsuit and seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Our battle-tested personal injury lawyers have more than 50 years of combined legal experience representing car accident victims and handling personal injury claims in Atlanta, and we have recovered more than $300 million for our clients by using our extensive experience to stand up to insurance giants. The personal injury lawyers at Bayuk Pratt are ready to help you. To learn more, call us today for a free consultation.
