Gillette Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If an Accident Occurs When a Motorcycle Is Lane-Splitting in Gillette, Who Is Liable?

Lane-splitting occurs when a motorcycle passes between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction, usually on top of the lane divider. Motorcycle riders lane-split in order get around or through slower-moving traffic, but the practice is illegal in Wyoming.

If you are a driver, and you hit a lane-splitting motorcyclist, or if you are a biker who lane-split and were hit, you may have questions regarding who is at fault for the accident. If you or a loved one has been in a collision in Campbell County, contact a Gillette motorcycle accident lawyer at Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., today at (307) 257-7800 to set up a free consultation. Let our trial attorneys hear about your case and see how we can help.

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Lane Splitting in Wyoming

Any and all lane splitting on a motorcycle is prohibited in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming Statute 31-5-115 (g) states: No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

This law factors heavily in determining liability for an accident involving lane-splitting.

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Who Is Liable in a Lane-Splitting Accident?

If a motorcycle is hit while lane-splitting, fault is typically attributed to the rider. By breaking the law, the motorcyclist has acted in a negligent manner. If an insurance adjuster or the court finds that the motorcyclist's carelessness was the root cause of the accident, he or she may be out of luck when it comes to recovering compensation.

However, there are cases where a lane-splitting motorcyclist may be able to recover some money from the other driver. If the biker can show that the other driver (presumably of a car or truck) caused the collision, he may be partially or fully compensated for his injuries and property damage. Other drivers can be held liable if they were changing lanes without looking, weaving wildly, talking on the phone or otherwise not paying attention.

The following factors may reduce fault for a lane-splitting motorcyclist:

• The motorcyclist was driving carefully, not speeding or weaving in and out of lanes or between cars.
• The motorcyclist has a clean driving record while the other driver does not.
• The other driver did something more dangerous than lane-splitting, like making an abrupt lane change without signaling, drifting from one lane into another, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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Seeking Compensation Following a Campbell County Motorcycle Crash

Though it is more difficult in cases of lane-splitting, it is possible for motorcyclists to get compensation for injuries that resulted from a crash. With the help of an experience Campbell County auto accident attorney, you can potentially recover damages for the following:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost future earning capacity
• Physical therapy needs including necessary equipment
• Pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Property damage
• Wrongful death of a loved one killed in the accident

These claims have many factors that contribute to determining fault; they can be quite complicated. Our trial attorneys are well versed in Wyoming law and traffic accident litigation. We can see to it that you get the compensation you deserve from the liable individuals. Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., can provide you with aggressive representation, and we are not afraid to take negligent parties to court. Call our Gillette motorcycle lane-splitting accident lawyer for a free consultation at (307) 257-7800.

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