Is Lane Splitting Legal in Nashville, TN?

Lane splitting occurs when a rider operates their vehicle between two lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is illegal in Nashville, TN. Tennessee law prohibits riding between lanes, no matter the traffic conditions present. If you are hurt while engaging in lane splitting, it is critical to know your rights under the law. Speak with a Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer from Selvidge Injury Law about your case today.

What Is Lane Splitting, Filtering, and Lane Sharing?

To know what your rights are after an accident, consider the following three types of situations that often occur in Nashville:

• Lane splitting: The operator of the motorcycle rides between lanes of traffic that are moving in the same direction as they are. Often, this requires speeding and swerving in and out of traffic. It is unsafe in nearly all situations.
• Lane filtering: This refers to a situation in which a motorcycle rider moves between two stationary vehicles to position themselves in the lane of traffic. Lane filtering is also illegal under Tennessee law.
• Lane sharing: Lane sharing happens when two motorcycles are riding side-by-side at the same time in the same lane. The rider is not moving between moving or stationary cars, but two motorcycles are riding next to each other. It is possible for no more than two motorcycles at a time to engage in lane sharing.

Under Tennessee motorcycle law, Tennessee Code § 55-8-182, a person who engages in these illegal acts could face fines, including monetary charges, court costs, points added to their license, and reckless driving charges.

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How Lane Splitting Impacts Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Those who are in an accident with a vehicle while lane splitting may share some of the blame for the incident. In these situations, the details of the investigation will determine who is at fault and to what degree.

Under the state’s comparative fault system, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault in the accident, you cannot file a claim against the other party for your losses. If you are found to be under 50% at fault, you can still file a claim, but the damages are lowered by the percentage of fault you maintain.

It is very common for insurance companies to use comparative negligence laws to argue that victims of motorcycle accidents should not receive any compensation. They may try to develop evidence that shows that the motorcycle rider was fully at fault, barring you from filing a claim.

How to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim If You Were Lane Splitting

In situations where an accident occurs and lane splitting was happening, it is essential to work with a Nashville accident lawyer who can help you navigate your rights. Your attorney will help you in several key ways:

• Demonstrate that you were not more than 50% to blame for the accident using available evidence.
• Document your injuries fully and use medical experts to indicate how the other party caused these injuries.
• Use accident a reconstructionist to build strong evidence that the other party was to blame.

Your Nashville motorcycle accident attorney’s job is to protect your right to full and fair compensation. It is crucial to understand your rights before accepting a settlement for damages.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Nashville, TN for Help

If you are hurt in an accident like this, seek the help of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Selvidge Injury Law is the reliable team you need to fight for full and fair compensation. Call our Nashville personal injury attorney today to schedule a free consultation.