Lane Splitting Accident Lawyer in California
We Represent Riders Hurt While Lane Splitting, Lane Sharing, or When Drivers Just Don’t Look
If you’re here, chances are something went wrong. Maybe you were riding responsibly between lanes, and a driver suddenly swerved into you without checking their blind spot. Maybe someone merged into your space like you weren’t even there. Maybe you’ve lost someone you love because another driver didn’t respect California’s lane splitting laws—or didn’t see a motorcyclist until it was too late.
However you got here, we’re sorry. And we’re here to help.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we understand what it’s like to lose people in a crash. We’ve seen firsthand the wreckage that’s left behind when drivers treat motorcycles like an afterthought. That’s why we built California’s Motorcycle Law Firm—for riders, by riders, with one mission: justice.
Lane Splitting Is Legal in California—But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe
California was the first state in the country to make lane splitting explicitly legal. Lane splitting (sometimes called lane sharing or white lining) is when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Done correctly, lane splitting helps keep traffic flowing and reduces the risk of rear-end collisions for motorcyclists.
But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s without danger—especially when drivers don’t understand the law.
We’ve helped riders who were clipped by cars drifting over the line. Riders who were knocked into guardrails by drivers making sudden lane changes. Riders who got doored in gridlocked traffic. And tragically, we’ve stood beside families who lost someone they loved because a driver didn’t see the rider—or didn’t care.
If this sounds like your story, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to go through this alone.
Why Lane Splitting Accidents Happen
Motorcycle accidents involving lane splitting usually come down to one thing: driver negligence.
Even though lane splitting is legal, many drivers don’t expect to see a motorcycle coming up alongside them. Worse, some get aggressive or hostile when they do. We’ve seen it all—drivers intentionally “blocking” lanes, drifting without signaling, or trying to punish riders for doing something completely legal.
Common causes of lane splitting accidents include:
Drivers failing to check their mirrors or blind spots
Sudden lane changes without signaling
Aggressive driving or road rage
Distracted driving (texting, eating, GPS, etc.)
Opening car doors in stopped traffic
Drivers who don’t know or respect the law
None of these are your fault.
If you were lane splitting and got hit, the insurance company might try to blame you. Don’t let them. California law doesn’t prohibit lane splitting—so being in between lanes is not evidence that you caused your own injuries. You still have the right to seek justice.
And we’ll fight to make sure you get it.
What the Law Actually Says About Lane Splitting
California officially recognized lane splitting as legal in 2016 with Assembly Bill 51. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) later released safety guidelines to help riders and drivers understand how to lane split safely.
Key takeaways:
Lane splitting is legal statewide—there’s no blanket prohibition, even on highways.
There’s no set speed limit, but riders are encouraged to avoid lane splitting more than 10 MPH faster than surrounding traffic.
Riders should use the far left lanes when possible—they tend to be wider and less chaotic.
Drivers must not intentionally block or impede a motorcyclist—this can be deadly and is often illegal.
Despite these clear rules, insurance companies often twist the facts after a crash. They may claim you were “reckless” for lane splitting. They may try to assign you partial fault. And unless you have a law firm that understands motorcycle law—and knows how to push back—you could be left with nothing.
That’s where we come in.
We Know These Roads. We Know the Law. And We Know How to Win.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’re not just lawyers who handle motorcycle cases. This firm was built by a trial lawyer who understands motorcycles and knows what riders are up against—because we’ve been there.
We know what it means to ride along 101 through Salinas or Santa Barbara during rush hour. We understand the split-second decisions you make on 880 near Oakland or 99 in Bakersfield traffic. We know how tight things get on I-5 through Sacramento, and how unpredictable other drivers can be when you’re lane splitting through backups near Fresno or Riverside.
And we know how to hold drivers and insurance companies accountable when their carelessness leads to tragedy.
Injured While Lane Splitting? You Still Have Rights.
Too many riders think they don’t have a case because they were lane splitting when the crash happened. Don’t buy it.
In California, just because you were lane splitting doesn’t mean you were at fault. If another driver did something careless—like merge without checking, open their door, or swerve into you—you still have every right to bring a personal injury claim.
In fact, many lane splitting accidents are caused entirely by the driver. And if that driver’s negligence caused serious injuries or death, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Emergency medical bills and long-term treatment
Lost wages and future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Wrongful death and loss of companionship (for families)
Even if you were found to be partially at fault, you can still recover damages under California’s comparative negligence laws. We’ll work to minimize any unfair blame and make sure the truth gets told.
What If You Lost a Loved One in a Lane Splitting Accident?
First, we’re so sorry. We know what it’s like to get that call. And we know how hard it is to put one foot in front of the other when the world falls apart.
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident—whether they were lane splitting or not—you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. It won’t bring them back. But it can help you get answers. It can force the person who caused the crash to face what they did. And it can help you and your family start to rebuild.
Wrongful death claims can cover:
Funeral and burial expenses
Lost income your loved one would have earned
Loss of love, guidance, and support
Emotional pain and suffering
Medical bills from the crash
We take these cases personally. Because we’ve been there, too. We wrote this guide for people who lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents while processing our own grief.
What to Do After a Lane Splitting Crash
If you’re able, here are a few important steps to protect yourself and your case after a crash:
Get medical attention — Even if you think you’re okay, adrenaline can hide serious injuries.
Call the police — A police report can be crucial later when dealing with the insurance company.
Document the scene — Take photos of the road, damage, your injuries, and the other driver’s info.
Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company — They are not on your side.
Contact a motorcycle injury lawyer — The sooner, the better.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we offer free case evaluations. They’re fast, confidential, and go straight to our inbox. If we can help, we’ll set up a consultation. If we can’t, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Either way, you’ll be treated with respect.
You Deserve a Lawyer Who Understands Motorcycles—and Fights Like Hell
Motorcycle injury cases aren’t like other personal injury cases. They require someone who understands rider dynamics, knows how to explain visibility issues, and can counteract bias against motorcyclists.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law:
You don’t get passed off to a junior lawyer or paralegal—you get John McCarthy, an award-winning trial lawyer, who knows how to ride.
You can call, email, or text us directly.
We use cutting-edge tech to stay lean and fight big insurance firms head-on.
We’ve recovered millions for injured clients—including riders and grieving families.
And we care. Deeply. About you, your story, and your future.
This isn’t just our job. It’s our mission.
We Ride With You—All the Way to Justice
When a lane splitting crash leaves you hurt, overwhelmed, or grieving someone you love, it’s easy to feel powerless. But you’re not. You have rights. You have options. And you have a team that’s ready to stand beside you and fight like hell to get what you deserve.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we know riders are often blamed unfairly. We know how the system stacks the deck. And we know how to flip it back in your favor.
Whether your crash happened in Humboldt, Modesto, San Diego, or anywhere in between—we’ve got your back.
Let’s start with a conversation.
Ready to Talk?
If you were hurt—or if someone you love was killed—while lane splitting or lane sharing, we’re here for you. Fill out our free, confidential case evaluation form and tell us what happened. We usually respond the same business day.
You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to settle for less.