Were you injured in a motorcycle accident involving lane splitting in Jacksonville, Florida? Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim to recover your losses while you focus on healing from the crash. Contact us today at for a free consultation with a Jacksonville lane-splitting motorcycle accident lawyer.
Our award-winning personal injury law firm has over 100 years of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients to date. We’re ready to explain your legal rights and options.
How Baggett Law Can Help After a Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accident in Jacksonville, FL
Lane-splitting cases present unique challenges that most standard car accident claims don’t. Motorcyclists face immense bias from insurance companies, and this bias is likely to be at its highest in the context of a lane-splitting accident. You need an experienced Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorney on your side who understands the current legal landscape and knows how to fight back.
Baggett Law has spent decades successfully representing injured victims in the Jacksonville, FL, area, and we can help you by:
- Investigating the circumstances of your crash to determine exactly what happened
- Gathering critical evidence like eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage
- Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists when needed
- Determining the full extent of your damages
- Managing every interaction with the insurance companies involved in your case
- Pursuing a lawsuit and presenting your case at trial when settlement talks fall short
Have any questions about what you should do next? Contact us today to set up your free consultation with a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Florida?
Lane splitting is illegal in Florida. Per Florida Statutes 316.209, motorcyclists are prohibited from operating between lanes of traffic and between adjacent rows of vehicles. The law also prohibits lane filtering, which some riders view as a separate practice. However, note that lane sharing, which is when two motorcycles are abreast in a single lane, is allowed.
Despite this legal framework, it is still possible to recover compensation even if you were lane splitting at the time of the crash. Figuring out who’s liable in these cases requires a careful analysis of the facts and circumstances.
How Is Fault Determined After a Lane-Splitting Accident in Jacksonville?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence statute with a 51% bar to recovery. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation for your injuries as long as your share of fault does not reach 51% or more. Whatever percentage of blame is assigned to you will reduce your total recovery by that same amount.
Liability in a lane-splitting case is rarely as one-sided as the insurance company would like you to believe. Many accidents involve multiple causal factors, some of which can outweigh lane splitting and still impose legal responsibility on the other driver.
Some common examples that might fall under this category include:
- A driver changing lanes without signaling and checking their blind spots
- A motorist opening a car door into traffic without looking
- A distracted driver drifting out of their lane
- A vehicle making a sudden stop without warning
The insurance company’s goal is to pin as much responsibility on you as possible so they can protect their profits. We’ll be ready for accusations like this and will do everything we can to help you respond appropriately and maintain the full value of your case.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
You only have a certain amount of time to file a claim after a lane-splitting motorcycle accident. Florida’s statute of limitations generally allows you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Waiting too long could cost you your right to seek compensation altogether.
However, note that there are exceptions to this time limit. For instance, the deadline might be extended in cases involving minors under the age of 18. We recommend reaching out to our motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible to confirm the deadline for your specific case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Jacksonville Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a Jacksonville lane-splitting motorcycle accident lawyer is often more affordable than people expect. Most personal injury attorneys, including Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis.
This means you do not have to pay any upfront costs or hourly fees. Instead, your lawyer is paid a percentage of the compensation they recover for you. If your case is not successful, you typically do not owe attorney’s fees.
This type of arrangement allows injured victims to access experienced legal help without added financial stress. It also means your lawyer is motivated to pursue the strongest possible outcome for your case.
Contact Our Jacksonville Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were in a lane-splitting motorcycle accident in Jacksonville, FL, don’t lose hope about your legal options just because the practice isn’t legal. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you look into your best course of action for recovering compensation.
Call our Jacksonville lane-splitting motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re passionate about what we do and are ready to start fighting for your rights immediately.
