Is Lane Splitting Legal in Florida?

For South Florida motorcycle enthusiasts, weaving through vehicles can be tempting. As heavy traffic creeps along or comes to a standstill on roads and highways, many motorcycle riders like to sneak between two lanes of traffic to find a clearing, perceiving this move as a safe and acceptable method of handling traffic.

But is lane splitting legal in Florida? The short answer is no.

Whether you’re a seasoned motorcycle driver or just becoming acclimated to South Florida’s congested roads, you should understand Florida motorcycle laws for your safety and those around you.

The South Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at Cohen & Cohen Law take pride in informing riders. Having represented countless clients in personal injury cases, our law firm recognizes the importance of understanding Florida law pertaining to motorcycles. This blog explains the law, what to do if you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash, and how to seek appropriate compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

At Cohen & Cohen Law, we are here to be the experience you need and the legal representation you can trust with your motorcycle accident case.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting, sometimes called “white lining,” happens when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. While it might save time during traffic jams, it’s illegal, per Florida Statute § 316.209, which prohibits motorcyclists from overtaking and passing vehicles in the same lane or riding between lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles. Florida law permits motorcyclists to use a lane fully, meaning they can and should ride within their designated lane like any other vehicle.

Penalties for Lane Splitting

Because Florida classifies lane splitting as a moving violation, getting caught can result in a ticket and fines. The amount of the fine varies, depending on the county where the violation occurs. However, the consequences don’t stop there.

If lane splitting causes a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist could face even more significant repercussions since evidence of lane splitting can prove negligence in legal proceedings.

• Legal Duty of Care: Every driver is responsible for operating their vehicle safely.
• Violation of Duty: Lane splitting violates traffic laws and this duty of care.
• Resulting Harm: The motorcyclist can be held liable if this violation causes an accident.
• Damages: Other parties involved may pursue proper compensation for injuries, property damage, or lost income.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Explains What To Do Following a Motorcycle Accident

At Cohen & Cohen Law, we have represented clients in motorcycle accident claims for more than 50 years. If you get into an accident, take the following action:

• Prioritize Safety: Motorcycle crashes often cause serious injuries. Assess everyone involved and move to a safe area if you can.
• Get a Police Report: Even if the accident seems minor, report it to the police to generate an official accident report. You will need this report for insurance claims and potential legal action.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including your motorcycle, other vehicles involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This evidence will be valuable for your case.
• Obtain the Other Driver’s Information: Collect the contact and insurance information of the other driver. Also, gather contact details from any witnesses.
• Seek Medical Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and prompt medical care can improve your prognosis.
• Contact an Experienced Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney: Contact our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers at Cohen & Cohen Law to help you pursue justice. Having provided legal representation to countless clients in motorcycle crash cases, our law firm can guide you through the legal process, preserve critical evidence, and advocate for your interests in negotiations with the insurance company – whether the other driver’s insurance company or your own.
• Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company: Tell your insurer about the accident, but do not discuss fault or the extent of your injuries until you have met with your personal injury attorney. In most cases, your personal injury attorney will communicate and negotiate with the insurance company for you.
• Attend Medical Appointments and Continue Doctor-Recommended Treatment: Attend all medical appointments and comply with prescribed treatments to demonstrate that you’re taking your recovery seriously.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

A motorcycle accident can inflict severe injuries, depending on the circumstances, including the following:

Spinal cord injuries – These injuries can result from a forceful blow to the spine, potentially inflicting permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the spinal cord injury (SCI).

Neck injuries – Whiplash and a neck injury can occur due to a collision with a vehicle and/or the surrounding environment.

Road Rash: This personal injury involves a skin abrasion caused by a motorcyclist sliding on the pavement during an accident. Injuries and symptoms may include significant skin damage, infections, and scarring.

Burn Injury: Motorcyclists may suffer from severe burns from their vehicle’s exhaust pipes or because of friction during a slide on the pavement.

Internal Injury: This personal injury involves harm to organs, internal bleeding, and broken ribs. A medical professional must treat it immediately.

Brain Injury: This type of injury occurs when the brain undergoes trauma, often due to sudden impact or violent shaking. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage.

Seeking Fair Compensation After an Accident Caused by Someone Else’s Negligence

An injured party can seek to recover economic and non-economic damages following a motorcycle accident.

Economic damages include:

• Medical Expenses: These may include medical bills for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and additional future medical care related to the injury.
• Lost Wages: If the injury prevents you from working, you may be able to seek compensation for lost wages. It can also apply to a reduced earning capacity if a permanent injury prevents you from earning as much as you did before the accident.
• Property Damage: You may be able to claim compensation for repairs or replacement of your motorcycle and other damaged personal property.

Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and Suffering: This general category of non-economic damages refers to the physical pain and experience of suffering due to motorcycle injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, and other forms of emotional trauma associated with the motorcycle crash and subsequent injuries.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: These damages concern an injury victim’s loss of pleasure in daily activities, hobbies, exercise, and other recreational pursuits.

Have You Been in a Motorcycle Accident? Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Hollywood Will Seek Justice & Pursue Maximum Compensation

In densely populated South Florida, accidents involving motorcyclists can happen in the blink of an eye. At Cohen & Cohen Law, we understand the unique challenges riders face. If you’ve had a motorcycle accident—whether as a rider or another party—we can help you understand your rights and legal options during a free case evaluation.

Have you searched online for a “Florida motorcycle accident lawyer” or “motorcycle accident attorneys near me?”

Our law firm has over 50 years of experience representing personal injury victims and a proven track record in personal injury cases. We take a client-centered approach, meaning you will speak directly with an attorney from the first call and receive clear and compassionate communication during your free consultation and motorcycle accident case. Whether it requires a thorough investigation, savvy negotiation with the opposing parties, or the testimony of experts, we will pursue the compensation you need for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages while you focus on your recovery.

Contact Cohen & Cohen Law at 800-33COHEN800-33COHEN or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation

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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.

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