What Color Car Gets In The Most Accidents?

Car color probably isn’t the first thing you think about when buying a vehicle, right? 

Most people go with what looks good or what’s available on the lot. But it turns out, color can make a difference when it comes to your safety.

Some car colors are way more accident-prone than others, mostly because of how visible (or invisible) they are in different lighting and weather conditions.

And yes, researchers have actually looked into this.

In this post, we’ll break down what color car gets in the most accidents, and what are the safest.

#1 Black

Black might look cool, but it comes with the highest accident risk of any color. Studies show that black vehicles are 10% to 47% more likely to be involved in accidents than white ones. 

That’s a pretty big difference.

The main issue is visibility. Black cars are hard to spot at night, during early mornings, in the rain, and even on overcast days. They tend to blend right into the background, especially on dark pavement. Drivers around you may simply not notice your car until it’s too late. 

Stylish? Absolutely. But you’re trading off a chunk of visibility for that sleek vibe.

#2 Grey

Grey cars might feel like a safe, neutral choice, but they’re still 10% to 25% more likely to get into accidents compared to white cars.

The problem is that grey is like the middle child of visibility. It doesn’t stand out in daylight, and it gets even worse when it’s overcast or rainy. It often blends right into the pavement, especially on highways. 

Drivers around you may not register your car as quickly, which makes a difference when split-second decisions are involved.

#3 Silver

Silver is one of the most popular car colors, but it’s not as safe as many people think. 

Silver cars have a 10% to 15% higher chance of getting into accidents compared to white vehicles.

Even though silver reflects some light better than grey or black, it still doesn’t create enough contrast against the road, especially in poor weather or at dusk. 

Interestingly, some studies show silver cars might be involved in fewer serious crashes, but when it comes to visibility alone, it’s still not at the top.

Also Read: What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in the United States?

#4 Blue

Blue is a super popular car color, and it comes in so many shades and looks great on the road. But it still shows about a 10% higher crash risk compared to white.

The tricky part with blue is the shade. Light blues are fairly visible, but the deeper tones (like navy or midnight blue) can be problematic. 

These darker blues start to blend into the background at dusk, in the rain, or under streetlights. On highways, they can look similar to the color of the road or the night sky.

Also, blue doesn’t naturally draw the eye the way brighter colors do. 

Other drivers might just not notice you as quickly when you’re merging, slowing down, or sitting still at a light.

#5 Red

Red is bright, bold, and super popular, but not as safe as you might think. 

Red vehicles are 7% to 10% more likely to be in accidents than white ones.

Why? Well, even though red grabs attention, it’s often confused with other red things on the road like brake lights, tail lights, or stop signs. That can delay another driver’s reaction just enough to cause trouble. 

Plus, red is sometimes associated with sporty, fast driving. 

That doesn’t mean every red-car driver is aggressive, studies have suggested that red vehicles are perceived that way, which may lead to more risky maneuvers around them or by them. 

Red may scream “look at me,” it doesn’t always help when it comes to preventing crashes.

Also Read: Parking Lot Accident No Police Report

#6 Green

Green cars also land on the higher-risk side, with about a 10% greater chance of accidents.

Darker green shades are the main issue. These tend to blend right into outdoor environments, especially on rural roads, in parks, or anywhere with trees and grass. Even in the city, dark green doesn’t offer much contrast during twilight hours or cloudy weather.

Lighter greens might be a little more noticeable, but they’re not very common. 

That rarity might help with visibility a bit, but the overall issue remains: green just doesn’t stand out well in nature-heavy settings. 

If you live in a more urban environment, the risk might be a little lower.

#7 White (The Safest)

And now for the safest car color: white.

This is hands-down the safest color on the road in terms of accident risk. It’s used as the baseline in almost every study, and consistently, white cars get into the fewest crashes.

Why? Visibility. White cars are super easy to spot in nearly every condition. 

Bright sunlight, heavy rain, early morning fog, twilight – you name it. A white car pops. It stands out against asphalt, trees, buildings, and just about any background you can think of.

Plus, there’s a bonus. White cars reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it, which means they stay cooler during hot weather. 

They’re also easier to keep looking clean, and they tend to hold their resale value well.

Also Read: Which States Have the Most Distracted Driving Accidents

What About Other Colors?

Beyond the usual suspects, there are a few standout colors that don’t get much attention but tend to do well in accident stats. 

Yellow cars, for example, are highly visible and often associated with caution (think taxis and school buses), so they are safer too. 

Orange vehicles are also easy to see, though they’re pretty rare. Gold is another color that seems to catch people’s attention quickly, which may explain its lower accident rate. 

These aren’t the most common choices at the dealership, but they’ve got solid safety perks.

Should You Pick A Safer Color?

Now, does this mean you have to buy a white or yellow car? Not at all. 

People pick their car colors for all kinds of reasons like style, resale value, availability, or even just personal preference.

But if you’re the type of driver who’s out early in the morning or late at night, or you live in an area with a lot of rain or fog, color might be something to consider. 

A high-visibility car can give you a small safety edge, just by being easier to spot.

You can always boost your safety with good headlights, reflective trim, and just being a mindful, cautious driver. Color is just one piece of the puzzle.

Bottom Line

Black cars get in the most accidents. They’re just harder to see, especially when the lighting isn’t great. Other dark colors like grey, silver, blue, red, and green also carry higher crash risks.

White, yellow, and orange cars are safer simply because they’re easier to see on the road.

So if you’re shopping for a new car and safety’s on your mind, go for something light and bright. It won’t guarantee you won’t get into an accident, but it might just help another driver see you in time to avoid one.

FAQs

What Color Car Has The Least Accidents?

White cars have the fewest accidents overall. They consistently rank as the safest choice across almost every study. 

White cars stand out better against most driving backgrounds like roads, trees, cities, and even during bad weather. They’re easier to spot from a distance, and that gives other drivers more time to react.

Why Do Red Cars Get In More Accidents?

Red cars get into more accidents because of visual confusion. 

Red is used a lot in traffic signs, brake lights, and tail lights, so a red car can sometimes blend into the “noise” of the road. That split-second delay in recognition can lead to more fender benders.