When you’re shopping for a new car, do you carefully think about what color vehicle you want to choose? Maybe you just pick your favorite color, or perhaps you just look at the vehicles on the lot and choose the one that fits your specifications – without thinking about the color at all. Everyone has their own priorities.
But if you’re thinking about safety, there is actually some evidence that the color of the car that you buy can reduce your accident odds. Specifically, white cars have been shown to be safer, with 12% lower odds of being involved in a crash. Other bright colors can be beneficial, such as lime green or yellow, and they are markedly safer than dark colors like navy blue, gray or black.
Visibility issues
As you may have guessed, the main reason for this difference in accident odds is simply that brighter cars are more visible on the road. It’s more likely that other drivers will see them and that they won’t make critical errors.
For instance, accidents sometimes happen when a driver turns left in front of oncoming traffic. If that oncoming car is white, the driver is far more likely to see it than if it is black. A darker vehicle will blend into the road, especially with the headlights off or in low-lighting conditions, so the odds of an accident are simply higher.
What should you do after an accident?
If you are focused on safety, the color of your vehicle isn’t the only thing to consider. It’s also wise to learn how to be a defensive driver, to anticipate the mistakes of those around you and to take active steps to avoid accidents.
But there’s nothing that can guarantee you won’t be injured by another negligent driver. If you get involved in a crash, you may need to seek financial compensation for medical bills and more.