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Lane splitting, which occurs when a motorcyclist maneuvers his or her bike in between lanes to pass other vehicles, is a common practice all over the country. However, due to its danger, lane splitting is illegal in New York. Specifically, New York law prohibits a person from operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows or lines of vehicles. In this article, we discuss the role of lane splitting in motorcycle accidents.
Why is Lane Splitting Illegal?
Lane splitting is illegal in most states. This is because it is incredibly dangerous and often leads to serious accidents and injuries. Some specific reasons that lane splitting is illegal in New York include:
- Lane splitting can place a motorcycle operator in another driver’s blind spot.
- Lane splitting can catch other vehicles by surprise.
- When a driver changes lanes in front of a motorcycle rider who is lane splitting, this can cause an accident.
Common Lane Splitting Injuries
Lane splitting can result in serious injuries. Common lane splitting injuries in New York include:
What to Do Following a Lane Splitting Accident
Following a lane-splitting injury, you should take the following steps:
Call the authorities: The first thing you should do following a lane splitting accident in New York is call the police. This will not only ensure that you receive immediate medical care for your injuries, but it will result in the creation of a police report that can be helpful in your personal injury claim.
Obtain medical care for your injuries: Even if you don’t believe you’ve been injured, you should obtain an evaluation by a healthcare professional. Some injuries, such as internal injuries and head injuries, don’t always present immediate symptoms. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor to rule out any serious injuries. In addition, should you later file a personal injury claim, promptly seeking treatment can be beneficial to your case.
Gather evidence: Next, you should gather evidence related to your accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Contact information of the other parties involved in your accident
- Contact information of any witnesses
- Photos and videos of your injuries
- Photos and injuries of the scene of the accident
Contact a personal injury lawyer: Finally, if you’ve been hurt in a lane-splitting accident in Long Island, New York, you should contact the law firm of Dell & Dean, PLLC. When you contact us for help, we will devise a case strategy and aggressively seek financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today to schedule a meeting with an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer.
