Lane-splitting is a way for motorcyclists to avoid traffic slowdowns during rush hour and other backups. The practice involves motorcyclists driving between the lanes of stopped or slowly moving cars, in other words, splitting between the lanes.
While lane-splitting may be tempting for many motorcyclists, the practice is illegal South Carolina.
Lane Splitting Laws in South Carolina
There is inconclusive evidence about whether lane-splitting benefits or harms traffic, drivers, and motorcyclists overall. Almost all states remain firmly against it. Not all states have clear laws one way or the other, but in South Carolina, lane-splitting is explicitly illegal.
To date, California is the only state in which lane-splitting is definitively legal. While many states have introduced legislation to legalize lane-splitting, only California has passed a law (and that occurred in 2016). However, the move to legalize lane-splitting has been gaining momentum, so other states may soon follow California’s lead.
Arguments For and Against Lane-Splitting
Evidence of the positive and negative results of lane-splitting remains indecisive and very controversial. Some have suggested that lane-splitting can reduce traffic congestion by allowing motorcyclists to avoid sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic and freeing up more space. It may also reduce some motorcycle accidents, particularly those caused by rear-ending. These positive points suggest lane-splitting is a better way to share the road with motorcycles.
However, sharing the road with a bike that is lane-splitting may actually be more dangerous and less helpful than the above points assume. Some suggest there are not enough motorcycles on the road to make a significant difference in traffic, and the reduced risk of rear-ending may be more than counteracted by the risk of drivers of other vehicles hitting the motorcyclist as they try to change lanes.
The issue will continue to be studied and the evidence debated until more thorough and conclusive facts are available.
What to Do If You Are Hurt in Motorcycle Accident
Whether you were lane-splitting or not, you need to know what to do if you are hurt in a motorcycle accident. After all, if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have a case against those who hurt you.
Before considering the law, though, your first priority should be medical attention. We recommend you go to the hospital even if you feel like you haven’t suffered a serious injury. Not all injuries will be detectable in those first moments after an accident, so it’s best to be safe and get a thorough medical examination.
You should also contact the police to and report the crash to your insurance company as soon as possible.
After you’ve attended to your medical needs, you should speak to a lawyer to find out your options for pursuing a legal claim against those responsible for your injuries. If someone else was at fault for the crash, you may be entitled to recover significant compensation for your losses.
Contact South Carolina Motorcycle Lawyers Today
If you’ve been harmed in a motorcycle accident, the personal injury lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm want to assist you in pursuing compensation for the harm done to you. Contact us today for free consultation. You can reach us online or by phone.
