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Is Lane-Splitting Safe in California?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
In California, most motorcycle riders, nearly 40%, use their bikes only on the weekends for recreation. Nearly 38 percent use their bikes for both a daily commute and weekend recreational activities. Lane-splitting or lane-sharing, which occurs when motorcyclists drive in between lanes in order to bypass traffic, is a frequent, though somewhat dangerous, occurrence. In a traffic study commissioned by the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 70 percent of motorcycle riders drive in between lanes, including on the freeways and multiple-lane roads at all speeds. In California, lane-splitting is neither explicitly permitted nor specifically prohibited. Technically, a motorcyclist who successfully passes using lane-sharing violates no traffic laws. California is the only state in America that allows motorcyclists to share lanes. However, if an accident were to occur, the circumstances of both the rider and the drivers would determine who is actually at fault. Motorcyclists are required to drive safely and respect all traffic laws. Additionally, drivers in California should not try to block or impede a motorcyclist who is engaging in lane-splitting. There have been several attempts to regulate motorcycle riders in California by placing speed restrictions on when they can weave in-and-out of traffic. All those initiatives have failed. For now, motorcycle riders can and should use their best judgment in all cases. When both riders and drivers act in a prudent and responsible manner, motorcyclists can share lanes with cars in a safe manner.

Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent driver who failed to respect the traffic laws, contact the experienced Sacramento motorcycle accident attorneys at Arnold Law Firm.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out the free Case Evaluation form.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.