Motorcycle Law
California is the only state in the nation to allow motorcycles to split lanes while driving in traffic. While lane splitting can be a practical way to navigate congested Bay Area roads, it also exposes motorcyclists to serious injury risks. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, or seat belts, motorcyclists are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when accidents occur.
If you've been injured while lane splitting or struck by another vehicle during lane splitting, understanding California's laws and your rights to compensation is critical to your recovery.
Lane splitting (also called lane sharing or white-lining) occurs when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. This practice is legal in California but remains controversial.
Drivers frequently get irritated by motorcyclists that split lanes and pass them cruising through the traffic, while they have to sit there stopped. Meanwhile, many motorcyclists get irritated when they see fellow riders acting irresponsibly, and many believe unsafe lane splitting causes an increase in motorcycle accidents.
Lane splitting accidents often result in severe injuries to motorcyclists because riders have no protective barrier between themselves and other vehicles. Even low-speed collisions can cause life-altering trauma. Understanding these injuries is crucial for ensuring you receive full compensation for your medical care and recovery.
When motorcyclists are knocked off their bikes during lane splitting, they often slide across pavement causing severe abrasions, deep lacerations, and skin loss.
May require: Skin grafts, extensive debridement, plastic surgery, and prolonged wound care
Impact with vehicles or the ground frequently causes fractures to arms, legs, wrists, ankles, ribs, collarbones, and pelvic bones.
May require: Surgery with pins, plates, or rods; extensive physical therapy; potential permanent disability
Even with a helmet, impact can cause concussions, contusions, skull fractures, and severe brain trauma affecting cognitive function.
May require: Emergency brain surgery, long-term neurological care, cognitive rehabilitation, lifetime support
Impact or improper landing can damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia).
May require: Emergency spinal surgery, lifelong medical care, mobility aids, home modifications
Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, ruptured organs, collapsed lungs, and damage to the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
May require: Emergency surgery, blood transfusions, organ removal, extended hospitalization
Severe crush injuries or trauma may result in traumatic amputation or require surgical amputation of fingers, hands, arms, feet, or legs.
May require: Prosthetic limbs, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, career retraining
Unlike car occupants, motorcyclists have no airbags, seatbelts, or metal frame to absorb impact forces.
Lane splitting leaves minimal room to maneuver, making it nearly impossible to avoid sudden obstacles or lane changes.
Many drivers don't check for motorcycles between lanes, leading to side-swipe collisions and door strikes.
Even at moderate speeds, the impact of a 3,000+ pound vehicle against an exposed rider causes devastating injuries.
After the initial collision, motorcyclists often hit the ground, other vehicles, or roadside objects, multiplying injuries.
The injuries sustained in lane splitting accidents often have life-long impacts that extend far beyond initial medical treatment:
Multiple surgeries, physical therapy, pain management, psychological counseling, and medication for years or life
Inability to return to previous occupation, reduced work hours, or complete disability preventing all employment
Home accessibility changes, specialized equipment, mobility aids, and caregiver assistance
Chronic pain, loss of independence, depression, anxiety, relationship strain, and inability to enjoy activities
California lawmakers have tried to regulate lane splitting. As of 2025, California does not have any law making lane splitting explicitly illegal—in fact, it's the only state where the practice is legally recognized. However, that doesn't mean motorcyclists have carte blanche.
This landmark legislation officially legalized lane splitting in California and authorized the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to develop safety guidelines for the practice.
California Vehicle Code 21658.1: Allows motorcycles to be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
While lane splitting is legal, the CHP recommends these safety practices:
Important: These are guidelines, not laws. However, violating them can be used as evidence of unsafe riding in an accident case.
Officers can still cite lane splitting motorcyclists for other general catch-all traffic violations and for speeding. Common citations include:
Driving at an unsafe speed for conditions, even if under the speed limit
Operating a vehicle in a manner that impedes normal traffic flow
Changing lanes when unsafe to do so
Driving with willful disregard for safety of persons or property
Research from UC Berkeley and the California Highway Patrol provides important insights into lane splitting safety:
Lane-splitting motorcyclists were less likely to suffer head or torso injuries compared to other motorcyclists
Lane splitting riders were significantly less likely to be rear-ended by other vehicles
The speed differential between motorcycles and surrounding traffic was the most important factor in safety
Lane splitting at speeds under 50 mph was generally safer than higher speeds
Most lane splitting accidents occur when motorcyclists significantly exceed the speed of surrounding traffic or split lanes when traffic is moving at highway speeds. Unsafe lane splitting remains a leading cause of preventable motorcycle accidents.
A driver changes lanes without seeing the motorcyclist splitting lanes, striking them from the side.
A vehicle occupant opens their door into the path of a lane-splitting motorcycle in stopped traffic.
Drivers make abrupt moves between lanes to exit or avoid obstacles, not expecting a motorcycle in between lanes.
Close quarters lead to contact between motorcycle handlebars and vehicle mirrors, causing loss of control.
The question remains controversial. Here's what legal experts and safety advocates suggest:
Make the CHP's safety guidelines enforceable regulations with specific speed limits for lane splitting.
Pro: Creates clear standards. Con: May be difficult to enforce consistently.
Launch campaigns educating both motorcyclists and drivers about safe lane splitting and lane sharing awareness.
Pro: Addresses behavior without restricting freedom. Con: Voluntary compliance may be limited.
Keep lane splitting legal with existing enforcement mechanisms for unsafe riding.
Pro: Preserves motorcyclist freedom and traffic flow benefits. Con: Doesn't address irresponsible riders.
The Bottom Line: Most experts agree that lane splitting itself isn't the problem—it's how it's done. Responsible lane splitting at safe speeds appears to reduce certain types of accidents, while reckless lane splitting significantly increases risk.
If you've been injured in a lane splitting accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation to cover the full extent of your damages. Lane splitting cases involve complex liability questions that directly impact your recovery:
Following CHP guidelines strengthens a motorcyclist's case and demonstrates responsible riding
Drivers must be aware of motorcycles, even when lane splitting—failure to check can establish liability
Speed differentials and traffic flow are critical factors in determining fault and damages
Documentation is essential in lane splitting cases to prove liability and injury severity
Whether your accident involved lane splitting or not, Beahm Law has the experience to handle complex motorcycle accident cases. We fight for the compensation you deserve.