JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | June 16, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Lane Splitting and the Law

Motorcycle lane splitting and the law can draw passionate views. However, it is one of the most misunderstood traffic maneuvers on California roads. It happens when a rider moves between two lanes of traffic, usually to avoid congestion or stop-and-go delays. 

While many drivers assume this practice is illegal or reckless, California law permits it under specific conditions. In areas like Encino, where traffic buildup is part of daily life, understanding the legal boundaries of lane splitting is essential for both riders and drivers.

Yes. California is the only state where lane splitting is expressly legal. According to California Vehicle Code § 21658.1, lane splitting is defined as riding a motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same direction. 

The law does not prohibit this action, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has issued public guidelines to promote safer lane splitting behavior.

However, just because something is legal does not mean it is always safe. Riders must use good judgment, and drivers must remain aware of motorcycles that may pass between lanes, especially in congested areas like the 101 or 405 corridors through Encino and greater Los Angeles.

CHP Guidelines for Safer Lane Splitting

While the CHP does not enforce specific speed limits for lane splitting, it has released detailed guidance to help reduce the risk of accidents. 

The agency encourages the following:

  • Only split when traffic is moving at 30 mph or less
  • Avoid riding more than 10 mph faster than the surrounding vehicles
  • Stay between the leftmost lanes, where traffic patterns are more stable
  • Avoid splitting near large vehicles such as trucks and buses
  • Be extra cautious around wide cars or vehicles with obstructed mirrors

These are not enforceable laws but are widely accepted as best practices. Riders who ignore these guidelines may not be breaking the law directly, but they are more likely to be found at fault in the event of a crash.

When Lane Splitting Becomes Dangerous

Lane splitting is not without risk and can cause serious injuries. Drivers often fail to check their mirrors before changing lanes, and many also underestimate how close a motorcycle can be before it appears between lanes. 

Crashes often happen when:

  • A driver swerves or merges without signaling
  • A rider tries to pass at high speed through tight gaps
  • Traffic suddenly shifts or stops
  • A car door opens unexpectedly

While motorcyclists may be legally allowed to pass through traffic, they must do so with extreme caution. Poor judgment or aggressive behavior can shift liability onto the rider, even in states like California where lane splitting is allowed.

Can Drivers Be Held Responsible?

Yes. Drivers may be held fully or partially at fault if they create a hazard for lane-splitting riders. 

Common examples include:

  • Making a sudden lane change without signaling
  • Intentionally blocking a motorcycle
  • Opening a car door into a lane-splitting rider
  • Drifting across lane markers while distracted

Even if a driver does not intend harm, careless behavior that causes a crash can result in legal and financial consequences. Blocking a motorcycle out of frustration is not only dangerous, it may result in citations for unsafe driving or assault.

Shared Fault in Lane Splitting Accidents

California follows a comparative fault system, which means liability can be divided between both parties in a crash. This often applies in lane-splitting cases. A rider may be found partially at fault if they were speeding or weaving unpredictably. A driver may share fault if they failed to check mirrors or changed lanes without warning.

For example, if a rider was lane splitting at 40 mph while traffic was stopped and a driver pulled into their path without signaling, both could share blame. The rider’s compensation would be reduced by their percentage of fault, but they would still have a right to recover damages.

If a lane-splitting crash occurs in Encino or elsewhere in Los Angeles County, both insurance companies and courts will look at specific factors:

  • Speed of the motorcycle
  • Behavior of the driver
  • Whether traffic was moving or stopped
  • Road conditions and visibility
  • Compliance with CHP guidelines

Riders should document the scene immediately after a crash. Photos, video, and witness statements can help clarify who was at fault. 

Because lane splitting is legal in California, insurance companies cannot automatically deny a claim based on that fact alone. The details of how the crash occurred are what matter most.

Contact the Encino Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.

Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.

JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436

JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | June 10, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents

Safety Tips for Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists

Motorcycles share only a small slice of overall miles driven, but they account for a large share of traffic deaths. In 2021, over 6,200 motorcyclists lost their lives — about 15 percent of all traffic fatalities. 

Since bikes have the same rights as other vehicles but far less protection, you need to pay extra attention when they’re on the road. The tips below will help you spot riders, keep your distance, and avoid common dangers when it comes to motorcycle and car crashes.

See Motorcycles Before They Slip Into Blind Spots

When a bike slips into a shaded spot or hides alongside a larger vehicle, you might not notice it until it’s too late, and that’s why checking your blind spots can be more beneficial than just relying on mirrors alone. 

Before you move over or merge, consider glancing over your shoulder and giving yourself a moment to scan areas where a rider could be hiding. Slowing down for a second and leaning forward in your seat often reveals a bike that mirror checks miss.

Sound can also offer a critical warning. Turning down loud music and stashing the phone can help you pick up the hum of an approaching motorcycle. When rain, dusk, or heavy traffic make it hard to spot a bike, its engine noise can serve as an important cue to avoid accidents.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road, Not on Your Phone

When you share the road with motorcycles, eliminating distractions is essential. Taking a phone call, fumbling with the radio, or glancing at your GPS for even a second can have serious consequences. 

Bikes can weave in and out of your field of vision faster than cars, and their smaller size makes them easy to miss if you’re not fully engaged. Staying focused means you’re ready when a rider accelerates, shifts lanes, or comes to a sudden stop.

Turn Safely When Motorcycles Are Near

Intersections can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, with far too many crashes occurring there. When you turn left, it’s easy to misjudge a bike’s speed or simply miss seeing it. 

To avoid this, pause until a motorcycle has passed before starting your turn. Even if the road seems empty, bikes can close distance in an instant. And don’t trust a blinking turn signal to tell you a rider’s plan. Motorcycle signals don’t always switch off on their own. 

Instead, watch for a rider’s posture, the angle of their wheel, or their brake lights to know if they’re really turning. 

Give Motorcycles Enough Space To Ride

Motorcycles can slow down without tapping their brakes. A rider might downshift or use engine braking, cutting speed quickly without flashing the brake lights. To stay safe, you need more than the usual three seconds of space. That extra gap can give you time to react to sudden stops, potholes, or sharp turns.

Riders also move within their lane to avoid debris, rough pavement, or slick spots that wouldn’t bother a car. When you pass, treat a motorcycle like a full-size vehicle — for instance, you can move completely into the next lane, give plenty of room, and ease back over only after you can see the entire bike in your rearview mirror.

Contact the Encino Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

When you share the road with a motorcycle, give the rider the same space and courtesy you’d offer any other vehicle. As more people turn to two wheels (especially in crowded cities), drivers must adjust their habits to keep everyone safe. 

By respecting a motorcyclist’s space and staying alert to their movements, you help prevent collisions, whether caused by DUI accidents, road defects, or other hazards. That straightforward approach makes the drive safer and smoother for everyone — drivers, passengers, and riders alike.

For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.

Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.

JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436