Lane splitting can cause vehicle accidents that create catastrophic consequences for all parties involved. Learn more about lane splitting and how the Atlanta car accident attorneys at Pope & Howard can help you seek compensation for harm caused by this traffic maneuver.
Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between lanes, often weaving between cars during slow-moving or congested traffic to avoid sitting in traffic. However, while lane-splitting is legal in some states, it is not legal in Georgia and can cause serious accidents.
Lane splitting can cause accidents in a number of ways, but the most common are because:
Other vehicles fail to see the motorcycle. Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles on the road and easier to miss in high-traffic areas, especially for larger vehicles (like large trucks and semi-trucks) that are unable to easily react or maneuver to accommodate a motorcycle.
Sudden stop in traffic. When motorcyclists lane split, it is usually to move faster than the rest of traffic on the road. If a motorcycle is moving faster than traffic and suddenly traffic comes to a complete standstill, it can cause accidents, often with multiple different vehicles.
Other vehicles are surprised and cannot react in time. The majority of the time, drivers are not used to seeing a motorcycle between their vehicle and the vehicle in the next lane. When this happens while moving, they may try to change lanes without seeing the motorcyclist or move closer to the car in the next lane, effectively pinning the motorcycle between vehicles.
Lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. Motorcyclists cannot ride between lanes of traffic, weave between rows of vehicles, or pass a vehicle in the same lane without using the passing lane to do so. If they lane split and this in turn causes an accident that leads to injuries, they can be at fault for the damage caused.
In lane splitting vehicle accident cases, the damages brought against the motorcyclist might include:
To prove that lane splitting was the cause of the accident, it must be proved that 1) lane splitting occurred, 2) lane splitting was the direct cause of the collision, and 3) damages were incurred due to the accident and require compensation.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a lane splitting accident and have suffered pain, suffering, or loss, please contact Pope & Howard at (404) 885-9999. We’ll help you seek compensation and build a case.
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