Is Lane Splitting Legal in Washington State?

If you’re a motorcyclist in Washington State, or someone sharing the road with them, you might wonder “Is lane splitting legal in Washington?”

The maneuver, where motorcyclists move between lanes of slow or stopped traffic, is a hot topic. This blog, from a skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Spokane, explains what motorcycle riders need to know about lane splitting, motorcycle accidents, and motorcycle accident claims.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting happens when a motorcyclist rides between two adjacent rows of vehicles, often during heavy traffic. Motorcyclists like it because it allows them to bypass traffic jams and get to their destinations faster. However, lane splitting is not legal in Washington State. According to Washington State law (RCW 46.61.608), “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, often requiring extensive medical treatment. Common motorcycle-related injuries include:

• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)
  SCIs are among the most serious consequences of motorcycle crashes, often requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Road Rash
  When a rider is thrown from their motorcycle, sliding across the pavement can scrape away layers of skin, sometimes deep enough to damage nerves and muscles and necessitate medical intervention to prevent infection.
• Dental Injuries
  A strong impact to the face during an accident often results in broken or knocked-out teeth. These painful injuries can create long-term functional and cosmetic concerns, often requiring restorative dental work.
• Fractures and Broken Bones
  Motorcycle accident victims commonly break wrists, arms, legs, and ribs due to the force of impact or the instinctive reaction of using your arms to brace a fall. These injuries can require months of recovery, including surgery and physical therapy.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
  Even with a helmet, TBIs pose a significant risk. A severe blow to the head can cause long-term cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can occur for various reasons, often stemming from preventable circumstances.

• Left Turn Accidents
  Many motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. It’s particularly dangerous because it usually happens at intersections where high speeds and limited reaction time can lead to severe injuries.
• Lane Switching Without Checking
  Drivers changing lanes without properly checking their blind spots put motorcyclists at risk. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles can easily be overlooked, resulting in a motorcycle crash.
• Speeding
  Excessive speed diminishes reaction time and increases the severity of an accident, whether it’s the motorcyclist or other drivers speeding. High-speed crashes often lead to catastrophic injuries.
• Driving Under the Influence
  Impairment from alcohol or drugs from vehicle drivers and motorcyclists contributes to motorcycle accidents because of reduced reaction times and impaired judgment exponentially increase the chance of a crash.
• Road Hazards
  Uneven pavement, potholes, gravel, or debris on the road can be minor nuisances for cars but major threats to motorcycles. These hazards can cause a rider to lose control and crash.
• Weather Conditions
  Rain, fog, or icy roads reduce visibility and traction, making it harder for motorcycles to stop or maneuver safely. Poor weather increases the risk of skidding or being involved in a multi-vehicle collision.

Pursuing Fair Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Case Through the Legal System

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Washington State, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. Motorcycle injuries can lead to significant medical costs and long-term impacts, and it’s crucial to understand the types of compensation available to you. These claims aim to provide financial relief and help you recover from the physical, emotional, and financial burdens caused by the accident.

Compensation for Medical Bills

Often, motorcycle accidents result in injuries that require extensive medical treatment, ranging from emergency care to surgeries and physical therapy. Compensation for medical bills covers costs such as hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, and rehabilitation. If your injuries demand ongoing treatment, these expenses can quickly add up, making it vital to include them in your claim.

Medical Bills/Lost Wages

Severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, often necessitate continuous medical care. Future medical expenses cover the anticipated costs of long-term treatments, assistive devices, or surgeries required down the road. This category takes your financial needs into account beyond just the immediate aftermath of the accident.

Recovering from a motorcycle accident can force you to take time off work, leading to lost income. Compensation for lost wages reimburses the earnings you missed due to your injuries. Additionally, if your ability to work is permanently impacted, you can seek damages for reduced earning capacity, which accounts for income you would potentially lose in the future.

Pain and Suffering

While not as easily quantifiable as physical injuries, seeking compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This category acknowledges the toll the injuries take on your quality of life.

By seeking fair compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost wages, you can take a significant step toward rebuilding your life after a motorcycle accident. Partnering with an experienced attorney establishes a thorough claim and offers the support you need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders

Since lane splitting is prohibited, here are some tips for staying safe while obeying  traffic laws in Washington:

1. Use Defensive Driving Techniques
   Always expect the unexpected. Keep a safe following distance and be on the lookout for sudden lane changes or distracted drivers.
2. Wear Helmets and Other Safety Gear
   Washington law mandates the use of helmets for motorcyclists, but you should also invest in protective gear like jackets, gloves, and boots to minimize injury risks.
3. Position Smartly in Traffic
   Utilize the center of your lane whenever possible for optimal visibility and maneuverability.
4. Maintain Your Motorcycle
   Regularly check tires, lights, brakes, and mirrors to ensure that your bike is in peak operating condition.
5. Avoid Riding Alongside Vehicles
   Stay mindful of vehicles’ blind spots, particularly large trucks and SUVs, which have larger areas where motorcyclists can go unseen.
6. Stay Visible
   Make yourself as visible as possible by using reflective gear, keeping headlights on during the day, and signaling clearly.

Contact the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys At Albrecht Law for Help with Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

Have you been searching online for “motorcycle wreck attorneys,” “motorcycle personal injury attorney,” or “Washington injury attorney?”

At Albrecht Law, our motorcycle lawyers understand the devastation motorcycle riders experience after accidents. Our law firm stands ready to assist you with your personal injury claim, with personalized service. Here, you are known.  Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form. There are no legal fees unless we win your case.

Albrecht Law PLLC — Our Clients Are More Than Just Cases

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave, Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com/