Lane Splitting

With rolling hills and vast stretches of gorgeous winding country roads, it’s no wonder that Missouri is a popular motorcycle state. Its pristine scenery attracts many motorcyclists. However, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, then you need an attorney with many years of experience on your side. St.Louis Motorcycle accident attorney from Hipskind & McAninch, LLC can help you recover damages from your lane splitting accident.

What is Lane Splitting?

Also known as white lining or stripe riding, lane splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between rows or lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Motorcyclists engage in this practice for different reasons, like getting out of a driver’s blind spot.

Is lane splitting legal in Missouri?

There are many debates regarding whether or not lane splitting is a safe practice that should be universally legal. Currently, lane splitting is not expressly prohibited in Missouri, but certain cities or counties may ban lane splitting, so you should check the specific laws and ordinances in those areas. Lane sharing, by contrast, is the practice of two motorcyclists traveling side-by-side in the same lane of traffic, which is prohibited by law. 

This is what makes lane splitting cases tricky because while it is not expressly prohibited, it can be used in a personal injury claim as an aggravating factor. You cannot be pulled over by police or automatically considered at fault by the insurance company for lane splitting. However, Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, so if it can be proven that you weren’t safely lane-splitting or another aggravating factor can be proven (e.g. you were speeding at the time of the crash), then that can create a legal grey area. It is advised that if you do engage in lane splitting, then do so at the speed limit and while following all other traffic laws. 

Lane Splitting Accidents

Lane splitting can catch motorists off guard and puts motorcyclists in danger of being hit by a car that is changing lanes. Lane splitting can lead to accidents that cause severe injuries that can put the rider in the ICU. The injured victim could suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, organ damage, head injuries, facial disfigurement, and road rash. Treating these injuries can be extremely expensive and may result in a significant amount of time away from work, resulting in lost wages. You may be able to recover damages from these financial losses and pain and suffering in a personal injury case.

Do I need a lane-splitting attorney?

If you have been injured in a lane-splitting accident, then an attorney can help you in many ways. First, as mentioned, lane splitting falls in a legal grey area, so these cases can get complicated rather quickly. The insurance company may call you and try to trick you into admitting that you were at fault for the accident or were doing something illegal when it occurred so that they can argue for a lower settlement. However, when you work with an experienced lane-splitting attorney, you will not be harassed. Hipskind & McAninch, LLC will talk to the insurance companies for you. We will also advise you of your rights under the law.

We offer a free consultation where we listen to you tell us what happened and review documents you have brought to us, such as photos from the accident scene and your medical records. If we believe that you have a valid personal injury lawsuit, then we will thoroughly investigate the lane-splitting accident to determine what really caused the crash and your injuries.

Damages In A Lane Splitting Lawsuit

You can be awarded economic and non-economic damages in a lane-splitting accident. Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage (e.g., car repairs or replacing your vehicle)
  • Any out-of-pocket expenses

Noneconomic damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the negligent party’s conduct. The most common types of non-economic damages are pain and suffering and mental anguish. Although they are subjective, an experienced personal injury lawyer in St.Louis who specializes in lane splitting accidents will fight for you to receive maximum compensation for your physical pain and psychological trauma.

Trusted Lane Splitting Attorney

With a 99 percent success rate and millions recovered for our Missouri clients, you can trust Hipskind & McAninch, LLC to provide you with unparalleled personal injury representation in your lane-splitting accident case. Call 314-293-4803 to schedule your free case evaluation with us. We highly recommend that you bring the following to your initial consultation if you have them:

  • Photos and videos from the scene of the accident
  • Contact information for the other driver and any witnesses
  • A copy of the police report, which you can request from the police department of the jurisdiction where you were injured.

We then investigate your claim and stay in communication with you regarding your case. We treat you with respect and compassion like we have for all of our former clients, many of whom have referred other victims to our law firm. Our trial lawyers are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. Contact us now to get started on your claim.