Lane Splitting Warning
A recent motorcycle accident on the Pacific Coast Highway approaching Malibu has led police to issue a warning to motorcyclists about the dangerous practice of lane splitting. The rider on the bike suffered traumatic injuries and was transported to a local hospital. According to the slim details, the motorcyclist was weaving in and out of stop-and-go traffic when he got into an accident. The accident occurred near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Las Tunas.
A Legally Permitted Practice
Back on January 1 of this year, the state of California made lane splitting a legal practice. Despite it being legal, many law enforcement officials warn against it. Officials have said that there are procedures motorcyclists must follow if they wish to split lanes. The Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station said that lane splitting should not be performed when operating a bike 10 MPH over the flow of traffic. The state of California recommends that motorcyclists do not lane split at a rate of speed higher than 25 MPH.
A Liability Warning
Detective David Huelsen, of the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, warned that if motorcyclists lane split while going above the recommended speed of 25 MPH and suffer an accident, some of the liability can be placed on them for the crash.
Huelsen recently spoke with The Malibu Times, stating that if a motorcyclist is traveling at a higher rate of speed than the traffic flow, it will likely be difficult for traffic to notice you as you change lanes or perform other movements. Huelsen warns that motorcycles traveling faster than the flow of traffic will not have the ability to react quickly enough if a vehicle is changing lanes in front of you. He also recommends not splitting lanes if traffic is traveling at 30 MPH or higher. He put it bluntly, saying that if your odometer on the bike says 30 MPH, then lane splitting should not occur.
Huelsen noted that most motorcycle accidents involving lane splitting occur on freeways, but they have happened more often on the Pacific Coast Highway. He also said that many motorcycle accidents on the Pacific Coast Highway occur because larger cars, trucks, and buses do not see the motorcycle as it changes lanes.
Roseville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer. Suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident in California is a traumatizing experience. I urge you to call my office at (916) 921-6400 in Roseville or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to obtain friendly, free legal advice if you or a loved one has been injured in a lane-splitting motorcycle accident.
It’s always a good idea to read reviews from former clients. My client reviews can be found on Yelp, Google, and Avvo.
You can find out even more about my track record by reading through some past Settlements and Verdicts from prior cases.
For the past 35 years, I have represented the victims of Roseville motorcycle accidents in an effort to obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries suffered and damages incurred. I work exclusively in wrongful death and personal injury.
Aside from the pride I have in fighting for the rights of my clients, I am also proud of a nationally recognized group of trial lawyers called the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This group recognizes trial lawyers who have secured settlements or verdicts for clients totaling $1 million or more.
I invite you to browse my website, autoaccident.com. You will find in-depth content about motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, and truck accidents.
:vass bw [cs 632] cv