Lane Splitting Is Legal in California
California is the only state that has expressly legalized lane splitting. Vehicle Code section 21658.1, in effect since 2017, defines lane splitting as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, and directs the California Highway Patrol to publish safety guidelines. The CHP guidance recommends splitting at a speed differential of no more than 10 mph and avoiding splitting above roughly 30 mph, but those are recommendations, not laws.
This matters because the first move in nearly every motorcycle claim is the adjuster asserting that the rider was "illegally lane splitting." Lane splitting itself is not negligence. A driver who changes lanes without signaling or checking a mirror and strikes a splitting rider has violated Vehicle Code 22107, which requires a lane change only when it can be made with reasonable safety. The question is whether each party acted reasonably, decided under California's pure comparative negligence rule.
How Fault Is Decided in a Glendale Motorcycle Crash
- Left-turn collisions. The most common fatal motorcycle crash pattern. A driver turning left across the rider's path must yield under Vehicle Code 21801. "I did not see the motorcycle" is an admission, not a defense.
- Unsafe lane changes. Vehicle Code 22107 and 21658 govern lane changes and lane discipline. Mirror checks, signal use and the driver's phone records are the evidence.
- Rear-end crashes at lights. A rider stopped at a signal has no crumple zone. Following too closely under Vehicle Code 21703 is the usual finding.
- Road hazards. Gravel, oil, uneven pavement and steel plates that a car crosses without notice can put a motorcycle down. Public entity liability under Government Code 835 applies, with the six-month claim deadline in Government Code 911.2.
- Dooring. Vehicle Code 22517 prohibits opening a door into traffic. Brand Boulevard parking is the Glendale hot spot.
Helmets, Gear and the Comparative Fault Argument
Vehicle Code section 27803 requires every motorcycle rider and passenger in California to wear a DOT-compliant helmet. If you were wearing one, the helmet question goes away. If you were not, the defense can argue comparative fault only for head injuries a helmet would have prevented; it has no bearing on fractures, road rash, spinal injuries or internal injuries.
Protective gear is not legally required beyond the helmet. Not wearing armored clothing is not negligence, though adjusters sometimes try to argue it. Riding without a motorcycle endorsement on your license, on the other hand, is a fact the defense will use, and it should be discussed candidly with your attorney at the first meeting.
Insurance Coverage for Riders
California's minimum liability limits rose on January 1, 2025 to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury under Senate Bill 1107. Those limits are still far below what a serious motorcycle injury costs. Three coverages decide most rider cases:
- The at-fault driver's liability policy. The first source of recovery.
- Your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Required to be offered under Insurance Code section 11580.2. It pays when the driver has no insurance, fled the scene, or has limits lower than your damages. Many riders carry it on their motorcycle policy without knowing it.
- Medical payments coverage. Pays early medical bills regardless of fault, which keeps treatment on track while liability is contested.
Common Injuries and Why Documentation Matters
Motorcycle crashes produce injuries that look different six months later than they do in the emergency room: traumatic brain injury that presents as concentration and sleep problems, degloving and road rash that becomes permanent scarring, shoulder and wrist fractures that need hardware, and spinal injuries that affect work capacity for years. Consistent treatment and specialist follow-up are what the claim is valued on. Gaps in care are used to argue that you recovered.
Where Glendale Motorcycle Crashes Happen
- SR-2, the Glendale Freeway. Curves through the Verdugo Hills with speed differentials between commuter traffic and riders.
- The I-5 and SR-134 interchange. Heavy merging traffic and frequent unsafe lane changes.
- San Fernando Road. Commercial truck traffic and wide, uneven lanes.
- Brand Boulevard, Central Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard. Left-turn collisions at signalized intersections and dooring along parking.
Where Glendale Motorcycle Accident Cases Get Filed
Motorcycle injury lawsuits are filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Our office at 655 N Central Ave is in Glendale, and we meet injured riders at home or in the hospital when travel is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was I at fault because I was lane splitting?
Not automatically. Lane splitting is legal under Vehicle Code 21658.1. Fault depends on whether you and the driver each acted reasonably. A driver who changed lanes without checking for a motorcycle is negligent regardless of whether you were between lanes.
The driver's insurance limit is only $30,000. Is that all I can recover?
No. Your own underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference up to your policy limit, and in some cases other policies in your household apply. We also look at employer liability if the driver was working, and at road-condition claims against public entities.
I was not wearing a helmet. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. Vehicle Code 27803 requires a helmet, and the defense can argue comparative fault for head injuries a helmet would have prevented. It does not affect recovery for fractures, road rash, spinal injuries or other non-head injuries.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in California?
Noble Attorneys works on contingency. There is no up-front fee, and the firm is paid only if you recover compensation. The percentage is set out in a written agreement you sign before any work begins, and case costs are explained in the same document.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in California?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If a public entity is involved, such as a city bus or a dangerous road condition, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code section 911.2. Missing either deadline usually ends the case.
Further Reading
- Glendale Brain Injury Lawyer
- Glendale Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer
- Why Gaps in Treatment Hurt the Value of Your Case
- Truck and Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Glendale Now
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. We meet clients at our Central Avenue office in Glendale and travel to homes and hospitals across Los Angeles County.