Most vehicle owners choose a color based on availability and personal preference. However, some owners also believe there’s a link between car color and crash risk in St. Louis, MO. For example, some vehicle owners think that neutral colors, like brown, do not stand out. As a result, drivers might not be as aware of them as cars with brighter colors.
At Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that accidents happen for many reasons—but no matter the color of your car, if someone else’s negligence caused your crash, you deserve justice. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have 21 years of combined experience. With millions of dollars recovered, we’ll fight for maximum compensation for you, too.
Contact us today for a free consultation call us at (314) 932-1066.
How Eason Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Car Accident In St. Louis, MO
When you suffer an injury in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can offer a wide array of legal services, including:
- Reviewing your crash and explaining the legal claims you have
- Gathering evidence, such as crash reports and medical records, to build your case
- Fighting the other driver’s insurer for a fair resolution of your insurance claim
- Taking the other driver to court if their insurer denies liability for your injuries
Auto insurers may rely on a range of excuses to avoid paying your claim, including blaming the color of your car.
Contact our law office in St. Louis, Missouri, to schedule a free consultation. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys can answer your legal questions and begin building a strong case for you.
The Role Of Visibility In Car Crashes
Visibility plays a role in some crashes. According to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium, roughly 22,000 car accidents in the state occurred in dark lighting conditions in 2023. This number doesn’t include those that happen during daylight hours, but it does cover crashes involving rain, snow, and other hazards.
Under these conditions, visibility may play a role. For example, a driver might be more likely to rear-end another vehicle in foggy conditions due to limited visibility, and the vehicle’s color may contribute to that likelihood.
But this assertion is not enough under the law. To raise such a defense, an at-fault driver often needs expert testimony to support their theory. They would also need to present legal arguments that the car’s color, and not the driver’s handling of the visibility conditions, caused the crash.
Studies On Car Color And Crash Risk
The current state of scientific research does not support the argument that car color increases crash risk in all circumstances. This position arises from two facts.
First, the studies that conclude that color plays a role in car accidents conflict with each other. For instance, a study by researchers at the University of Auckland looked at hundreds of car accident records and determined that silver cars are less likely to crash than other colors.
However, another study by researchers at Monash University in Australia reached the opposite conclusion. After reviewing thousands of crash reports, scientists concluded that silver cars have a higher crash risk than other colors.
To present expert testimony, a party must prove that the underlying science is reliable and accepted within the scientific community. Conflicting studies prove that scientists disagree about which colors, if any, affect crash risk.
Is Car Color A Valid Excuse For Hitting You?
Although there is no color that is always more dangerous than other colors, some colors may be more difficult to see in certain situations. However, this does not necessarily absolve the at-fault driver of liability. Specifically, a driver is still liable if they failed to reasonably adjust their actions by slowing down and paying closer attention due to poor visibility.
For instance, suppose a driver blames a nighttime highway crash on the victim’s black car. In this case, the issue is not how the black car caused the other driver to hit it. Instead, the question is why the driver did not see the vehicle. If they were speeding, texting, or falling asleep, they could be liable for the crash regardless of the color of the victim’s car.
Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
A car accident can result from many driver-related causes. In almost all cases, these driving mistakes happen no matter your car’s color.
If you were injured in a crash in St. Louis, the legal team at Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you’re entitled to. With over 21 years of combined experience and millions of dollars recovered, we have a proven track record of success.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident lawyer.
