How Legal Opinions Differ On Motorcycle Liability Across State Lines
Motorcycle laws in the United States often share a common goal, which is to keep riders and motorists safe. But the way each state interprets and enforces those laws can vary widely.
Despite all the efforts, the number of motorcycle accidents in the US is increasing. According to LendingTree, the number of motorcycle accidents continued increasing for five consecutive years. It rose by 26.2%, from 4,945 in 2019 to 6,242 in 2023. The Lone Star State was found to be the most dangerous for motorcyclists.
In these cases, what one state sees as responsible riding, another might classify as reckless behavior. These inconsistencies make motorcycle liability a complex issue, particularly when accidents occur near state borders or involve riders from other states.
Understanding how liability shifts across states begins with recognizing that traffic law is not uniform. Each state legislature defines its own standards for negligence, safety equipment, and rider conduct. When an accident happens, the outcome can depend heavily on where it occurred and how that jurisdiction views the rider’s actions.
This article explores how varying state laws can influence legal opinions.
State-by-State Motorcycle Laws & Liability
The State Line Dilemma
Imagine two identical accidents happening on opposite sides of a border, one in California and the other in Washington. The physical facts might be the same, but the legal consequences could be completely different.
States rely on their own interpretations of the duty of care and comparative negligence. This means that a rider who is partially at fault in one state could be entirely at fault in another.
This is where regional rules about riding behavior come into play. Take, for instance, lane splitting. As noted by MotorCycles Data, lane splitting is legal in California. It became legal through Assembly Bill 51 in 2016, which added Section 21658.1 to the California Vehicles Code. Besides California, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Hawaii, Colorado, and Minnesota also allow lane splitting in some form.
On the other hand, the Freeman Law Firm states that it is entirely illegal in Washington. Moreover, there are fines ranging from $130 to $150 for those who do so. The fines also reflect on the rider’s driving record.
Therefore, a motorcycle accident occurring due to lane splitting in Washington will have different legal opinions than one in California.
The same goes for several other practices, such as lane filtering, helmet laws, minimum age, and license requirements.
How Courts Interpret Responsibility
State courts often rely on precedent and legislative intent to define what “reasonable” means for motorcyclists. In some jurisdictions, simply wearing the correct safety gear or adhering to speed limits may be sufficient to demonstrate due care. In others, the definition extends further, factoring in local norms about visibility, lane use, or how riders navigate congestion.
Consider helmet laws, for example. In states like California, New York, Georgia, and Louisiana, helmet use is mandatory. In some other states, such as Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida, it is mandatory only for individuals under a certain age. And in states like Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire, it is not compulsory at all.
However, it is important to have such laws in place. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that helmet laws could have saved around 20,000 motorcyclists since the mid-1970s. The numbers represent around 11% of all riders who died from then till 2024.
This variation is why legal opinions can differ so sharply. A judge in Texas might rule that a motorcyclist acted responsibly based on the state’s emphasis on personal freedom and road sharing. On the contrary, a court in New York could interpret the same behavior as dangerous or unlawful.
Lawyers handling multistate claims often face the challenge of reconciling these differences. This is especially true when insurance companies or victims push for a settlement that reflects “national” fairness rather than local law.
https://www.mylegalopinion.com/motorcycle-laws-across-states/
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