What Is Lane Splitting?

One of the benefits of riding a motorcycle is the ability to maneuver your vehicle around stopped or slow-moving traffic. This practice is referred to as lane splitting, but is it legal in Texas? And what happens if you are involved in a lane-splitting accident? 

The Austin motorcycle accident lawyers at FVF Law can investigate your case and determine who is responsible for your damages. Our legal team is dedicated to helping personal injury victims navigate their accident cases and recover fair compensation.

Contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation case review with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Austin, TX. 

How Our Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help After a Lane Splitting Crash

Lane-splitting crashes can result in serious injuries to motorcyclists, leading to potentially life-altering consequences. 

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Austin, Texas, you need to be able to concentrate on your health. At the same time, you must preserve your legal right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. 

Our Austin personal injury lawyers can handle your claim while you recover. Our services include:

• Investigating the accident to determine who was at fault, including the person who was operating the bike you were on
• Gathering and preserving evidence of how the accident occurred
• Requesting medical records and other documentation to show your damages and calculate the fair value of your claim 
• Managing communication and case deadlines with insurance companies 
• Negotiating for fair compensation for your claim 

The skilled attorneys at FVF Law can hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligent actions and pursue the full compensation available under Texas law. Call us for a free case review with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. 

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What Is Lane Splitting? 

Lane splitting refers to the practice of driving between lanes, usually where vehicles are stopped in traffic or moving at slow speeds. 

Is Lane Splitting Dangerous? 

People disagree about whether lane splitting is dangerous or not. Lane splitting can help prevent motorcyclists from being rear-ended by motorists who do not see them stopped, according to riding enthusiasts. 

Research backs up this contention, finding that there are fewer rear-end collisions when lane splitting is allowed. The American Motorcycle Association supports the practice of lane splitting and the legalization of this practice. 

However, some people believe that lane splitting may make it harder for motorists to see motorcyclists. They may not expect these movements from motorcyclists, which are already smaller and less noticeable by design. 

Additionally, motorcyclists have less space to maneuver when riding between lanes, making it difficult to avoid a crash if another motorist moves unexpectedly.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Texas? 

California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. Other states, including Hawaii, Utah, Montana, and Arizona, allow similar practices, such as lane filtering.  

Another practice, called lane sharing, occurs when motorists share a single lane of traffic with another motorcycle. For example, two bikers may drive abreast of each other. However, Texas law prohibits any of these practices and requires vehicle operators to drive within one lane of traffic when on a road divided into two or more marked lanes. 

Who Is Responsible For a Lane Splitting Accident in Austin, TX?

Texas’ modified comparative fault law may allow you to seek compensation for the harm you suffered, even if you are partially at fault for the accident because you were lane-splitting. 

So long as your percentage of responsibility is not greater than 50%, you can still receive compensation. However, your damages will be reduced by your degree of fault. 

Just because you were lane-splitting does not necessarily mean the entire accident was your fault. 

For example, say you were lane splitting near a traffic light, but the driver behind you was texting. They rear-ended you. They might be found more at fault for the accident than you. If they are found 90% responsible and you are found 10% responsible for the accident, you could still recover compensation for 90% of your damages. 

What To Do After a Lane Splitting Motorcycle Accident in Austin

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in which lane splitting may have played a role, here are some tips about what to do next: 

• Report the accident to the authorities. 
• Ask for the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance information. 
• Seek prompt medical attention. 
• Take pictures of the accident scene, if possible. 
• Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information. 
• Keep all accident-related documentation, including medical records, accident reports, employment statements, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. 

Finally, contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Austin for help and personalized legal advice.

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Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers If You Were Involved in a Lane Splitting Collision

Lane-splitting accidents can be challenging because there is a presumption that the motorcyclist is at least partially to blame for the accident. However, having a knowledgeable Austin motorcycle accident attorney on your side can help level the playing field. 

Contact FVF Law at (512) 982-9328 today to learn more about how we can help