Sandusky Motorcycle Crashes and Lane Splitting: How Ohio Law Applies
For motorcyclists in Sandusky, riding between lanes of slowed or stopped motorists, known as lane splitting or lane filtering, may seem like a reasonable way to avoid sitting in traffic. However, it increases the risks of motorcycle accidents in Ohio and could impact your rights in an injury claim.
Our Sandusky motorcycle accidents lawyers explain the legal ramifications of lane splitting and how the state’s comparative negligence law applies.
How Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Complicates Your Ohio Motorcycle Crash Claim
Motorcycle riding is a popular hobby in Sandusky, but heavy traffic in the area can increase the likelihood of injuries. According to the Ohio State Patrol, an average of nearly 5,000 motorcycle crashes happen throughout the state each year, and lane splitting or filtering increases the risks.
It can also jeopardize your rights to compensation:
- Riding between lanes or rows of vehicles violates Ohio’s single-lane rule, and insurers treat that violation as evidence you contributed to the crash, no matter how slow or stopped traffic was.
- A first violation typically brings a minor misdemeanor citation, which insurers can use to dispute or deny your claim.
- Even without a citation, insurers can use dashcam footage, witness statements, and skid marks to argue that you were lane-splitting or otherwise riding unlawfully when the crash occurred.
- If the insurer can prove you were even partially at fault, it could jeopardize your rights to compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence law.
Keep in mind that insurers are for-profit businesses, and finding reasons to deny payouts in Ohio motorcycle crash claims helps protect their bottom line.
How Comparative Fault Affects Your Rights After A Lane Splitting Crash
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, the state follows a modified comparative fault system. This means you can still get compensation for motorcycle crash injuries in Sandusky, even if you share some of the blame. Here’s how the law applies and can affect your rights:
- You may be entitled to compensation for a motorcycle crash in Ohio involving lane splitting, provided your actions weren’t more than 50 percent responsible for the collision.
- Compensation is reduced by the percentage for which you were to blame for the crash.
- For example, if you were injured in a Sandusky motorcycle crash and suffered $100,000 in damages but were determined to be 20 percent responsible, you would be entitled to $80,000. ($100,000 minus the 20 percent)
- Gathering evidence that the at-fault driver was speeding, distracted, or engaged in other reckless behavior is crucial in these cases.
Sandusky motorcycle crashes involving lane splitting are among the most common and complex types of claims. To get the compensation you need to recover, get professional legal help today.
Talk To Our Experienced Sandusky Motorcycle Crash Lawyers
Lane-splitting violations complicate motorcycle injury claims. At Murray & Murray, our Ohio motorcycle crash lawyers investigate these cases, deal with insurers on your behalf, and help you get the maximum amount you need to recover. We serve clients throughout Sandusky, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Request a consultation today.
Sources:
dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/statepatrol.ohio.gov/links/Motorcycle_Bulletin_2024.pdf
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2315.33