Motorcycle Lane Splitting: Dangers and Injury Liability

Lane splitting—or riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic—is not legal in most U.S. states, but is legal in countries around the world. Usually done when vehicle traffic has slowed during peak hours or in high density areas, lane splitting can be dangerous for the motorcycle rider and those in the vehicles. Motorcycle accidents can occur on the highway or the city street, and can cause serious, life-threatening personal injuries to all parties involved in the accident. However, due to the exposed nature of riding a motorcycle, the rider often sustains the most serious injuries of those involved.

Risks of Splitting Lanes

Dangers of lane splitting include collisions with motor vehicles while merging into another lane due to blind spot or otherwise, invisibility of the motorcycle to other vehicles, illegal passing of a car by a motorcycle while in the same lane, and a loss of control either by the rider or driver of a vehicle. Though motorists claim to not see the motorcycle, most motorcycles today have exhausts so loud that it’s almost impossible to not hear them coming.

Determining Who is Liable or at Fault

As with any traffic accident, liability depends on who caused the accident. If the motorcycle rider attempted to share a lane with a larger vehicle, especially in a state where it’s illegal, they may be held responsible for injuries sustained by the other party. However, if the driver of the vehicle neglected to turn around and look before merging into another lane, or simply merged into the other lane without a traffic signal and subsequently hit a motorcyclist, then the driver of the vehicle may be held liable for the accident.

When to Get Professional Legal Counsel

A qualified personal injury attorney has the experience to determine liability in a motorcycle accident case. Your attorney will have to know the nature of the accident, the injuries you have sustained, and other relevant information.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident because of lane splitting, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today.