Ohio Motorcycle & Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Lane splitting means riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. Ohio has no law that specifically mentions it. However, Ohio Revised Code 4511.33 requires vehicles to stay within a single lane as nearly as practicable and to change lanes only when it is safe. Because of this rule, lane splitting and lane filtering are generally treated as illegal in Ohio, and riders can be cited for them.

This may change in the future. House Bill 776, introduced in the Ohio legislature, would allow lane filtering under certain conditions while continuing to prohibit lane splitting. The bill has not become law.

If you were lane splitting when a crash happened, that doesn’t automatically end your claim. Ohio follows a modified comparative fault rule, so you can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% responsible. Your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can review the evidence and push back when an insurer tries to place too much of the blame on you.

Not always. Ohio law generally asks cyclists to ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and to follow the same traffic rules as other vehicles. The law also makes clear that cyclists do not have to ride at the edge of the road when doing so would be unreasonable or unsafe.

Ohio Revised Code 4511.55 lists situations where a cyclist may move away from the edge. These include avoiding parked or moving vehicles, debris, potholes, and other surface hazards. A cyclist may also ride farther into the lane when it is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel safely side by side.

Drivers have responsibilities too. Under Ohio’s safe passing law, a driver passing a cyclist must leave at least three feet of space.

After a crash, insurers sometimes claim the cyclist was “in the way.” Knowing these rules can help show that you were riding lawfully and that the driver was responsible for giving you enough room.

In most cases, Ohio gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ohio Revised Code 2305.10). Wrongful death claims generally must also be filed within two years of the person’s death (ORC 2125.02). If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is.

Some situations can change the timeline. For example, the deadline may be paused while an injured person is under 18. Claims involving a government vehicle or a poorly maintained public road can follow different rules and procedures.

Two years may seem like plenty of time, but waiting can hurt your claim. Evidence such as video footage, skid marks, and witness memories fades quickly. Insurance companies may also ask for a recorded statement early, before you fully understand your injuries.

Contacting an attorney soon after a crash gives your legal team time to preserve evidence and document your injuries. It also means your claim can be built well before the deadline.