Minnesota became the sixth state to legalize lane-splitting for motorcycles. With new legislation that goes into effect on July 1, 2025, motorcyclists in Minnesota can split lanes in specific circumstances. Minnesota’s new lane-splitting laws for motorcycles have implications for riders and motorists.
Understanding the new laws is important for safety and protecting your rights after a motorcycle accident. If you’ve been in an accident, call Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation with a Minneapolis motorcycle accident lawyer.
What Happens When a Motorcyclist “Splits Lane” in Traffic?
Lane-splitting occurs when a motorcyclist travels between lanes of traffic. Generally, this maneuver is used to avoid traffic congestion. The rider moves between lanes of traffic when vehicles are moving slowly or stopped. Lane-filtering is similar to lane-splitting but involves a rider moving to the front of the line of stopped vehicles at a red light.
There is a great deal of debate about whether lane-splitting is safe. Opponents argue that lane-splitting can increase the risk of a crash. On the other hand, proponents argue that lane-splitting reduces the risk of some types of motorcycle accidents. In either case, the new lane-splitting law is expected to complicate motorcycle accident claims when the rider was splitting lanes when the crash occurred.
Minnesota’s New Lane-Splitting Law Begins July 1, 2025
Minnesota became the sixth state to legalize lane-splitting for motorcycles with the passage of the new law. The original language in the code prohibited riders from lane-splitting. Now, riders will be able to split lanes with specific restrictions.
The new law allows motorcyclists to filter through traffic, passing vehicles between lanes or in the same lane as a vehicle. However, there are two restrictions riders must follow:
- The motorcycle’s speed cannot exceed 25 mph; and,
- The difference in speed between the motorcycle and traffic cannot exceed 15 mph.
The law also includes penalties for drivers who impede motorcycles on the open road. Drivers cannot intentionally hinder or attempt to prevent the operation of a motorcycle when the driver is lane-splitting.
A benefit of lane-splitting is maintaining traffic flow by moving motorcycles through congested traffic when possible. It also reduces the risk that another motorist rear-ends a motorcycle stopped in congested traffic.
Rights and Responsibilities of Drivers and Motorcyclists
Riders and motorists must operate motor vehicles with care. They must follow traffic laws and take reasonable steps to avoid causing accidents. If a motorcyclist or driver negligently causes a traffic accident, they can be liable for damages.
Therefore, all factors of a motorcycle accident are analyzed to determine if they contributed to the cause of the crash, including lane-splitting. One party may be entirely responsible for causing a crash. However, fault for the crash could be shared between two or more parties, including the motorcyclist.
How Can Lane-Splitting Insurance or Accident Claim for a Motorcycle Accident in Minneapolis, MN?
The insurance company may try to shift the blame for the motorcycle crash to the rider. If the rider was lane-splitting when the crash occurred, the company might argue that the rider caused the accident or contributed to the cause of the crash. It can use contributory fault to argue for the denial of the claim or to lower how much it is willing to pay to settle the claim.
Minnesota has a modified comparative fault statute. The law bars damages when an accident victim is 51% or more to blame for causing the crash. If the rider is less than 51% to blame, the law reduces the victim’s portion of damages by their degree of fault.
Therefore, suppose a jury finds that the motorcyclist is 60% at fault for causing the crash. Under comparative negligence laws, they would receive nothing for their damages. However, if the jury finds the rider was 20% to blame for the crash, their damages would be reduced by 20 percent.
Compensation for a motorcycle accident includes economic and non-economic damages. Examples of damages include:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Because there is much debate about whether lane-splitting is safe, the insurance company may push the argument to dispute the claim. An experienced attorney can work with accident reconstructionists and other experts to gather evidence determining the actual cause of the accident and refuting the allegations that the rider’s actions caused the crash.
Get Help With a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries and life-altering conditions. You deserve to be compensated fairly for your injuries, not blamed unfairly for causing the crash. We stand up for motorcyclists and fight to protect their rights after a collision.
Contact the Minnesota Motorcycle Accident Law Firm of Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198
