Motorcycle accidents in West Palm Beach can result in tragic deaths and traumatic injuries. Motorcycle crashes occur for many reasons. Unfortunately, lane splitting is a dangerous practice that can lead to motorcycle accidents.
The West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorney of the Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers has been handling motorcycle accident claims for over three decades. Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts and settlements for accident victims. Our legal team puts your best interest first as we fight to protect motorcyclists’ rights after motor vehicle accidents.
Contact our law office or speak to us at (561) 556-7873 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Helps Riders with Lane Splitting Accident Claims
Insurance companies like to blame motorcyclists for causing the motorcycle crash. It does not matter whether the rider was at fault or not. The insurance company uses unfounded myths and biases to claim riders are reckless and dangerous.
Unfortunately, lane splitting accidents give the insurance company another reason to blame the rider for causing a motorcycle accident. Our legal team at the Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers defends motorcyclists and fights to hold the driver who caused the wreck financially liable for damages.
When you hire us to handle your motorcycle accident claim, you can expect us to:
- Thoroughly investigate the cause of the motorcycle crash
- Gather evidence proving you did not cause the motorcycle accident
- Work with your doctors to document your injuries
- File insurance claims and monitor those claims with the insurance companies
- Consult expert witnesses, as necessary, to build a stronger case
- Negotiate for the maximum settlement amount
- Prepare to take the case to court if the other parties refuse to pay a reasonable amount to settle the case
Our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident attorney is a seasoned trial lawyer and aggressive negotiator. The goal is to get you the money you deserve in the quickest time possible.
Contact our law firm today to request your free case evaluation from a West Palm Beach lane splitting accidents attorney.
Motorcycle Lane Splitting Can Be Dangerous
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides in between two lanes of traffic. Florida prohibits lane splitting. The law states that a motorcycle cannot be driven between lanes of traffic or between adjoining rows or lines of vehicles. Therefore, lane splitting is illegal in Florida.
Furthermore, a motorcycle cannot pass another vehicle in the same lane. The vehicle code prohibits riders from overtaking a vehicle by driving in the same lane as the vehicle being passed.
California is the only state so far to legalize lane-splitting for motorcyclists. However, the practice of lane splitting can be dangerous for several reasons, which is why states do not permit motorcyclists to ride between the lanes of traffic.
For example, when you ride a motorcycle between lanes, you are in a vehicle’s blind spot. The driver has a much more difficult time seeing your motorcycle when changing lanes. Drivers do not anticipate a third motor vehicle being between their vehicle and the vehicle in the lane beside them.
Motorcycle Lane Splitting vs. Lane Sharing in West Palm Beach, FL
Florida traffic laws give motorcyclists the right to the full use of a lane of traffic. Therefore, another driver cannot try to pass you within your lane of traffic or drive partially in your lane of traffic.
However, the law does not prohibit lane sharing by motorcyclists. Lane sharing is when two or more motorcycles share the same traffic lane. Florida permits two motorcycles to drive side-by-side in the same lane.
Allegations of Comparative Fault in West Palm Beach Lane Splitting Accidents
Insurance companies may allege Florida’s contributory fault laws apply in lane splitting accidents. Under the contributory fault law, your compensation for damages is reduced by the percentage of fault you have for the cause of an accident.
A jury might find that you were 70 percent at fault for a motorcycle crash because you were lane splitting. If so, you would only receive 30 percent of the value of your personal injury claim. If the jury awarded you $100,000, you would only receive $30,000.
A defense attorney may argue negligence per se in a lane splitting accident case, in addition to contributory fault. The theory of negligence per se states that a person is negligent if they break a law designed to protect the general public. It shifts the burden of proof to you to prove you did not act negligently.
The defense could present an expert witness to testify about the risks of lane splitting. Because Florida laws prohibit lane splitting, the defense attorney argues you were negligent in causing the accident. Therefore, you should not receive full compensation for your damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Splitting lanes can create problems in a motorcycle accident claim. However, our accident lawyers understand how to argue against these allegations.
Call our office now to discuss your case with an experienced West Palm Beach lane splitting accident attorney.
