As a motorcyclist, a common term you may encounter is “lane splitting.” But what is lane splitting exactly? Lane splitting takes two forms.
Pure lane splitting happens when motorcyclists ride on lane lines between active lanes of traffic. Lane filtering is legal in several states. This practice allows motorcyclists to ride on lane lines in stopped or slowed traffic to avoid getting hit in rear-end collisions.
Lane splitting has been the subject of controversy as it can lead motorcycle riders and others to sustain serious injuries in Lancaster, PA.
After a car crash in Lancaster, a lane splitting accident lawyer from Marzzacco Niven & Associates can fight to hold the careless driver responsible for your injuries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Contact us today at (717) 616-2954 for a free consultation with an experienced Lancaster lane splitting accident attorney.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After An Accident In Lancaster, PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates was formed in 2008 to represent clients in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, against the people and businesses responsible for their injuries. Our Lancaster personal injury attorneys have used their 120 years of combined legal experience to recover millions of dollars in financial compensation.
Our Lancaster lane splitting accident lawyers can provide the following services when you suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions:
- Conducting a free consultation to review your situation and explain your options
- Collecting evidence to prove liability and losses in your case
- Filing an insurance claim and negotiating for an insurance settlement
- Preparing a lawsuit when insurers refuse to resolve your case
Motorcycle accidents can cause permanent brain damage and other serious disabilities. Contact us today to discuss your motorcycle crash with a Lancaster motorcycle accident attorney.
What Losses Can Accident Victims Include In Injury Claims?
Your injury claim can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses encompass the financial costs of your injuries, such as lost income and medical bills. Non-economic losses encompass your reduced quality of life due to pain, mental anguish, and other intangible losses.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lane Splitting Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Injury lawyers in Pennsylvania typically charge contingency fees. This fee has several benefits for accident victims, as the lawyer will only charge a fee for winning or settling the case. Moreover, they can start working on your case without requiring any upfront payments.
What Happens if the Driver Blames Me for a Motorcycle Accident In Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania allows victims to recover injury compensation if their share of the blame for the crash was 50% or less. However, the court will generally reduce their compensation by the victim’s percentage of the fault.
In court, a driver may blame the motorcyclist for the crash because of lane splitting. The practice is illegal in Pennsylvania, and a judge or jury might find that the motorcyclist was negligent in failing to follow the Commonwealth’s lane-splitting law.
On the other hand, lane splitting does not, by itself, cause collisions. The driver had to maneuver across the lane line to hit the rider. If the driver failed to exercise reasonable care in changing lanes or drifting out of their lane, they might also bear a significant share of the fault.
What Motorcycle Accident Injuries Happen In Lane-Splitting Accidents?
Motorcycle crashes tend to produce injuries to the upper limbs, lower limbs, and head. For example, crashes with lane-splitting riders usually involve a sideswipe collision. In this collision, the automobile pushes the motorcyclist sideways.
If the rider loses their balance, the motorcycle can tip over. Their shoulder and arm may strike the pavement and drag across the asphalt. The rider’s leg may get trapped or even crushed under the motorcycle. Their head may also hit the pavement, causing brain injuries.
Does Lane Splitting Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Lancaster, PA?
Lane splitting can expose riders to two types of accidents. First, a rider on the edge of the lane can hit the door of a vehicle if an occupant unexpectedly opens it. Second, drivers can hit riders between lanes when they make lane changes.
Neither form of lane splitting directly causes motorcycle accidents. Instead, drivers who open their doors or change lanes without checking their blind spots cause these motorcycle accidents.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit In Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires injured victims to file lawsuits within two years of suffering their injuries. This period can pass quickly. Consider meeting with an injury attorney soon after your accident to assess your eligibility to pursue a claim.
Contact Our Lancaster Lane Splitting Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Motorcycle accidents can happen whether lane splitting is involved or not in Lancaster, PA. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the seasoned Lancaster lane splitting accident lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free consultation to discuss your injuries and find out how we can help you recover compensation for the physical and financial losses you suffered.