Motorcycle riders often want to know how lane splitting in California affects accident outcomes and liability. California has a unique approach to lane splitting, which can make injury claims following a crash feel confusing.
At Beliz Law Firm, our Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers work to explain these issues in plain language so injured riders understand both their rights and the limits of the law.
Lane splitting can be helpful for riders. It can also be risky when other drivers are not paying attention or when traffic conditions change suddenly.
Because of these factors, it is important to understand the law, what the research shows, and the typical approach to determining fault.
Is Lane Splitting in California Legal?
Yes. Lane splitting became officially recognized in 2016 when the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 51. This bill added California Vehicle Code section 21658.1, which defines lane splitting and authorizes the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to develop safety guidelines.
The law does not set specific speed limits or distances for lane splitting. Instead, riders are expected to use caution.
The CHP has issued safety recommendations, and those suggestions encourage lane splitting only when traffic is slow and when the rider is not moving at a much higher speed than surrounding vehicles.
Because the law recognizes lane splitting but does not provide specific rules, each accident must be analyzed based on the facts.
California Lane Splitting Law: What It Means for Riders
The California lane splitting law does not grant riders unlimited freedom. It gives a definition and allows the CHP to provide safety guidance, but riders must still act reasonably.
“Reasonableness” is an important legal term. It means a rider must act in a way that a careful and cautious person would under the same conditions.
Drivers of passenger vehicles should also expect that lane splitting may occur. When they make unsafe lane changes or fail to check their blind spots, they may cause collisions with motorcyclists who are legally lane splitting.
The law sets the framework, but fault after a crash is still determined through general negligence principles.
Lane Splitting Accident Statistics: What the Data Shows
Riders often wonder whether lane splitting is more dangerous than riding in a regular lane. Reliable lane splitting accident statistics are limited, but one of the most often referenced studies was funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety and completed by UC Berkeley researchers in 2015.
The study reviewed several thousand motorcycle crashes and found:
- A smaller percentage of motorcyclists who were lane splitting suffered head injuries, torso injuries, or fatal injuries;
- Lane-splitting riders tended to wear better helmets and rode in slower and heavier traffic conditions; and
- Most collisions occurred when the speed difference between the motorcycle and traffic became too large.
A common question is: Does lane splitting cause more accidents? There is no official government publication stating that lane splitting causes more crashes overall.
Instead, safety studies tend to focus on how lane splitting is performed. This research indicates that lane splitting can be safer under certain conditions, but it can become more hazardous when speeds increase or when drivers fail to anticipate the motorcycle’s position.
Because all accidents are different, the statistics help explain trends but do not predict the outcome of any single case.
Lane Splitting in California: Liability and Fault
After a motorcycle accident, one of the first questions asked is who is at fault in a lane splitting accident.
California is a comparative negligence state, meaning each party’s share of fault is assigned a percentage, and compensation is reduced by that percentage.
Liability is not automatic just because the rider was lane splitting. Since the practice is legal, the rider’s actions are judged the same way any driver’s actions would be judged. The question becomes whether the rider was acting reasonably.
Examples of factors that may affect fault include:
- The rider’s speed compared to traffic;
- Whether the driver signaled lane changes;
- Whether the rider stayed in a safe position between vehicles;
- The lighting, spacing, and traffic congestion; and
- Whether either party was distracted.
These general factors often come up in lane-splitting claims. Because lane-splitting accidents tend to happen in heavy traffic, memory and visibility can be limited. That makes evidence such as photos, the police report, helmet-camera footage, and witness statements more important.
Who Is at Fault in a Lane Splitting Accident?
Determining fault in a lane splitting accident usually does not have a single answer. The assessment depends on whether the rider or the driver acted without reasonable care.
Insurance companies may argue that lane splitting contributed to the crash even when the rider was doing it carefully. This is why the facts of the accident, such as the speed and movement of traffic, play a significant role in the analysis.
If the driver made an unsafe lane change or failed to check mirrors, fault may fall mainly on the driver. If the rider was splitting at a high speed or weaving abruptly, more fault may be assigned to the rider. Often, both sides share some percentage of fault.
Because of these details, injured riders should consult with a lawyer who can review the evidence and explain how comparative fault may apply.
Contact Beliz Law Firm to Understand How Lane Splitting May Impact Your Case
Lane splitting is a recognized and legal practice in California, but it adds complexity when accidents occur. Research shows that lane splitting can reduce some injuries when it is done in slow or stopped traffic. It can also increase risks at higher speeds or when other drivers do not expect it.
The effects of lane splitting in California on accident outcomes depend on the behavior of both the motorcyclist and the other driver. Since fault is based on negligence, each case requires careful review.
Beliz Law Firm works to explain these laws in clear and simple terms so injured riders know what to expect. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident while lane splitting, our office can review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you understand how liability may be applied.
If you would like help evaluating your case, please reach out to the Beliz Law Firm for a complimentary consultation.
Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
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