Motorcyclists often split lanes to make their way through congested traffic. If handled improperly, this technique can be quite dangerous. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, order a FREE copy of our consumer guide: Do Loud Pipes Save Lives? A Biker's Guide to Accidents and Injuries, then contact the Kiley Law Group for a FREE consultation - 800-410-2769

Blog

Latest News

Library

Case Results

$ 3.5 million Settlement for
auto injury

Our eighteen-year-old client was driving on an interstate into the early morning sun. As he drove over a rise in the road, he struck a car that was disabled and stopped in the middle of the road because a 150-pound wheel and tire detached from a tractor-trailer rig traveling in the opposite direction. The lugs holding the tire had broken off, causing the tire and wheel to travel across the median strip, and hit and disable the stopped vehicle.
Awarded: $ 3.5 million

$1,000,000 Jury Verdict for
86 year-old woman

Our client an 86 year-old woman sustained an injury after being struck by a bus. The inattentive bus driver was warned by a passenger that the woman was crossing in front of the bus but could not stop in time to avoid impact.
Awarded: $1,000,000

$785,000 Settlement for
crushed ankle

Our client was operating his motorcycle on a two-lane road when a large box truck made a U-turn into his path of travel. The client attempted to avoid the collision by laying his motorcycle on its side. Unfortunately his lower leg and ankle came in contact with the truck causing seven fractures and soft tissue injury.
Awarded: $785,000

DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

How to Split Lanes While Riding Your Motorcycle (Part A)

No one likes traffic. Sitting in a congested mess for hours at a time is one of the more irritating parts of navigating the Interstate system, especially for bikers. In fact, flying down the open road is one of the main reasons bikers love the freedom that comes with riding motorcycles. This is also why many motorcyclists often avoid traffic by "splitting lanes."

Splitting lanes involves riding down the corridor between the two lanes of traffic. Splitting lanes is somewhat controversial, even within the biking community, and it's often blamed for a significant portion of motorcycle accidents. If a rider does choose to engage in lane splitting, it's very important that they adhere to the following motorcycle safety tips.

Understand The Drivers You Are Sharing the Road With

A motorcycle rider can't really know exactly what the drivers in the lanes ahead are planning, but pays to understand the mentality of the other cars on the road. Most of the drivers sitting in traffic are fiddling with their radio, using cell phones or daydreaming, so bikers need to be on alert. The remaining portion is split between those who are eager to help, and others who feel that riders aren't waiting their proper turn in line.

The two latter categories present their own problems for splitting lanes:

A small percentage of car drivers will move aside to give you additional space to pass. An unintended consequence is the dirt and rocks occasionally kicked up by their tires. The added space simply isn't needed.
Drivers are easily angered after sitting in traffic, and road rage situations can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation.

A rider never knows what kind of drivers are in the nearby cars, so they should always be prepared to take action. This can be the difference between a safe, sudden stop and a motorcycle accident.

Keeping your Fingers on the Brake

Conventional motorcycle wisdom tells riders never to place a hand over the brake. When splitting lanes, however, this advice is counterproductive. The moment saved by being able to apply immediate pressure to the brake could prevent a motorcycle accident.

Continue To Next Page >>

The personal injury attorneys at The Kiley Law Group are dedicated to helping the victims of:

Car, motorcycle, truck, van or bus accident
Single vehicle accidents such as SUV or 15-passenger van rollovers
Pedestrian accidents such as a hit and run
Defective products such as ineffective airbags or seatbelts, prescription drugs with unpublicized side-effects, or hazardous children's toys
Child injury and child abuse such as negligence
Birth injuries such as trauma during labor or cerebral palsy

We Serve Clients Across the State of Massachusetts & Salem, New Hampshire
The firm's headquarters are in Andover, MA and serves the following cities in Massachusetts: Boston, Danvers, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Methuen, Middleton, Reading, and Salem, MA and Salem, New Hampshire.

Massachusetts personal injury lawyer, Thomas M. Kiley, is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and is a respected member of the American Association for Justice and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.

Share |

Need Help Now?

Kiley Law Group
342 North Main Street
P.O. Box 3040
Andover, MA 01810
Phone: 978-474-8670
Fax: 978.474.8946
Toll Free: 800-410-2769

Get Directions