Yes, you can lane split in Missouri, as there are no laws prohibiting motorcycle riders from doing so. However, lane splitting is incredibly dangerous.
A motorcyclist can receive a citation for careless and reckless driving if they split lanes. In addition, if a rider splits lanes, they can cause an accident and be liable for the losses of anyone involved.
Seek legal help after a rider splits lanes and slams their motorcycle into your car. A Kansas City car accident lawyer will learn about your case and work diligently to get you fair compensation for your losses.
Why Is Lane Splitting in Missouri Unsafe?
A motorcycle rider can split lanes in Missouri, but drivers nearby may not see this individual. As such, if a motorist changes lanes, they may crash their car into a rider who is traveling in their blind spot. Meanwhile, the rider could be at fault for the accident.
There is limited space for a motorcyclist to split lanes. This makes it difficult for a rider to maneuver between cars. As a rider who is splitting lanes travels close to vehicles, they are susceptible to side-impact and rear-end collisions.
Consult with a car accident attorney following a crash involving a motorcyclist who was splitting lanes. Your lawyer will explain the things you should know about filing a car accident case. If warranted, they will submit a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and argue your case to a judge or jury.
How Is Lane Splitting in Missouri Regulated?
Per Missouri Revised Statute 304.015, a motorcycle rider must remain in their lane and not shift from one to another unless it is safe. Thus, even though a rider can split lanes in Missouri, they can be penalized if doing so puts themselves or others at risk.
The above statute does not explicitly prohibit lane splitting. Yet, it could provide a motorist with grounds for legal action if they get into an accident with a rider who split lanes. If this motorist submits an insurance claim or lawsuit, the rider or their insurer may have to compensate them for their medical bills, lost wages, and other accident losses.
Meet with a personal injury lawyer if you want to pursue compensatory damages from a motorcyclist who was splitting lanes and crashed their vehicle into your car. Your attorney can discuss the mistakes to avoid after a car accident. They will help you make informed decisions as you go through the legal process.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Can You Be Partly at Fault for a Lane-Splitting Accident?
Based on Missouri’s pure comparative negligence rule, a driver and a motorcyclist can share responsibility for a lane-splitting accident. To understand how this rule applies to a lane-splitting accident, consider an example.
A motorcyclist splits lanes and sideswipes your car. At the time of your accident, you changed lanes without signaling. Both you and the motorcyclist can be held accountable for the incident, which means you may get partial damages if you sue the rider.
With pure comparative negligence, your damages can be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, a judge or jury rules you are 20% liable for an accident in which a motorcyclist split lanes. You will receive 80% of the damages you requested.
How Can You Prove That a Motorcyclist Split Lanes?
Traffic camera footage, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence can help you prove that a motorcycle rider was negligent and should have to pay damages. Your personal injury attorney collects evidence to prove your argument, seeking proof from a wide range of sources.
Your attorney accounts for traffic conditions, lane position, and other factors relative to your accident. They want a judge or jury to understand that a motorcyclist violated their duty of care, which is a legal obligation to avoid acts that could harm others. This breach of a duty of care led to your accident, and you are dealing with the ramifications of the rider’s actions.
Expect a motorcycle rider to fight back against your case. Regardless, your lawyer remains on your side throughout your legal proceedings. They craft an argument that will resonate with the court and make it clear to a judge or jury why you deserve damages.
The Bottom Line on When You Can Lane Split in Missouri
You can split lanes in Missouri, but riders who do so will have to face the consequences of their decision to do so. If a rider splits lanes and gets into an accident, this individual may have to cover the losses of all parties involved.
The team at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers takes your auto accident case seriously. We have obtained over $1 billion in compensation for car accident victims and many others. Our personal injury lawyers can help you prove that a rider chose to negligently split lanes and should be held responsible for your accident losses. Contact us for more information.
