The best way to avoid motorbike accidents in the state is to know Iowa motorcycle laws. These laws are meant to protect people from the dangers of driving. By following them, they can significantly reduce the risk of getting into an accident.
Sometimes, it's not that people don't care about motorcycle safety but rather that they don't know that what they are doing is not okay. Lane splitting is the perfect example of that.
It's not uncommon to see people lane splitting, but is it legal? This page has more information on the matter. People should read it to make sure they don't get in trouble with the law in the future.
People unsure about what to do after a motorized bicycle accident should hire a personal injury attorney. They will address all their legal concerns and tell them everything they need to know about how the law protects them.
Tom Fowler Law is a family business that focuses on helping people going through personal injury cases. Hiring a good attorney is part of the safety concerns people should think about when they suffer an accident. Anyone can get more information about common causes of motorcycle accidents and this law firm on its website.
Is It Dangerous to Split Lanes?
Lane splitting is highly dangerous for experienced and new riders. Cars and trucks have blind spots, so drivers could open their doors or move without noticing a motorbike approaching them.
It's difficult to maneuver a motorbike when a car makes a sudden move or stops. Hence, riders splitting lanes will most likely lose control of their motorcycle and crash.
Riders should always watch out for debris or potholes too. Lane splitting directly cuts the space they have to dodge any obstacle on the road.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Iowa?
It is completely illegal to lane split in Iowa. As a matter of fact, it's banned in most states. The Iowa Code states that motorcycle riders can't move between lanes or adjacent lines of vehicles driving in the same direction.
While some think it's a good idea to legalize lane splitting in the state, that would significantly increase the number of motorcycle accidents.
Drivers don't expect people to ride close to them just to go through a traffic jam. That lack of awareness makes the whole thing more dangerous, even if it were to be legal.
Motorcycle riding is already dangerous enough for people to put themselves in even more danger. It's better to have patience when facing slow traffic than to get hurt or damage other vehicles.
What Legally Happens to Drivers When They Lane Split?
Since lane splitting is against Iowa traffic laws, people could face legal consequences if they are caught doing it. The purpose of penalties for traffic violations is to keep people from committing them. People lane splitting in Iowa may:
Get Traffic Tickets
Traffic tickets are the most common punishment for splitting lanes in the state. As for how expensive the fine will be, it truly depends on the specific circumstances under which the action happened.
Lane-splitting traffic tickets often cost people more than $100. However, if moving between lanes causes any kind of accident, the liable party could suffer more severe consequences.
Get Driver's License Points
Local law enforcement officers can give people points on their driver's license. While that doesn't directly cost them any money, it could increase insurance rates.
Having too many points on a motorcycle license could lead to suspension. In a nutshell, the legal consequences of lane splitting are similar to when someone goes over the speed limit or commits other traffic violations.
Face a Lawsuit
Iowa has a comparative negligence system. That means people can share the liability in a motorcycle crash. If a rider moves between traffic lanes and crashes into another vehicle, they would be partially at fault.
Riders could still ask for compensation in this case. Now, if the other party proves the rider split through a traffic lane, they will get less money. The same happens if they try to get coverage from the insurance company.
Other Illegal Traffic Actions in Iowa
Although the goal of this blog post is to answer the "Is lane splitting legal?" question, the truth is there is a concerning lack of awareness regarding traffic laws in the state. These regulations can't achieve their goal of protecting drivers if people don't know them. For more information, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Des Moines may be able to help.
There are many other illegal traffic actions in Iowa apart from lane splitting. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- Driving under the influence
- Not wearing a helmet
- Not following traffic signals
- Improper Licensing
- Reckless Driving
- Speeding
Most Common Injuries After a Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accident
The main problem with lane splitting is that it could cause a severe accident. Something as small as hitting a door could cause injuries to the rider. Recovering from that is expensive and highly painful.
Victims of motorbike crashes often suffer:
- Road Rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Broken Bones
Slow-moving traffic is frustrating, but it's better to wait it off instead of suffering partial or permanent injuries. Regardless of the situation, victims of a crash should get medical attention right away.
Apart from having access to a quick diagnosis, it's also a decent legal strategy if the rider wants to sue other drivers for the accident. Medical records often serve as evidence in a personal injury claim.
Bottom Line - What Can Victims of Lane-Splitting Accidents Do?
Lane splitting, also known as lane filtering, is highly dangerous, and of course, not legal. Therefore, victims of accidents that come from this problem can sue other drivers or negligent parties for what happened.
The best way to win a personal injury case is to hire an attorney who understands the legal implications of lane splitting and how to handle the trial. Tom Fowler Law has won millions of dollars for its clients, so it's the only choice clients in Des Moines, Iowa should try.
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