Determining Fault in Motorcycle Lane Spitting in California

Motorcycle lane splitting has been a dangerous practice in California ever since the vehicle code 21658.1 was passed on Jan. 1, 2017. The act of “driving a vehicle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane including on both divided and undivided streets, roads and highways” is expected to improve the wellbeing of bike riders, in spite of the fact that there have been a few fatalities in the previous years. Below is a discussion on determining fault in motorcycle lane splitting accidents. Note that it is advisable to consult an injury attorney in Los Angeles in case of such an accident.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) considers the lane splitting law as neither approving nor disallowing lane splitting. The body was given authority to make rules to be pursued. Motorcyclists who are associated with a genuine accident while lane splitting is not naturally to blame because their activities are not illegal. However, they can be considered responsible for their activities in the event that they showed any level of carelessness, regardless of how little it is. The insurance company or the other driver may look to prove that the biker was more responsible. This is a guarantee if the CHP rules from the California Motorcycle Safety Program were not being followed.

These guidelines state:

• When motorcyclist’s path split, they should not go at a speed more than 10 mph quicker than the ongoing traffic.

• Motorcyclists are not supposed to split path when traffic is moving at 30mph or quicker.

• It is generally more secure to lane pah split between paths one and two. This is because these are the farthest left paths than others.

• Motorcyclists have to consider various factors before lane splitting, such as the width of the paths, the road, the size of different vehicles out and about, the climate, and lighting.

• Motorcyclists have to be attentive and watch other drivers’ moves carefully.

Drivers can never again say that a motorcyclist is to blame completely, just because the rider was lane splitting. In case the motorcyclist was following the rules strictly, their activity could be viewed as safe, and not careless.

In case you were riding your motorcycle among paths and were harmed by the activities of another driver, you can be safe if you followed the CHP safety rules.

Keep the above factors in mind if anyone you know happens to be in a motorcycle accident.