Is Lane Splitting Legal in Washington?

No, lane splitting is not legal in Washington. Motorcyclists are required to use a full lane and prohibits riding between cars. If you were injured in a crash caused by another party who was lane splitting, call Freeman Law Firm at (253) 383-4500 to speak with our attorney about your options.

Washington’s Law on Lane Splitting Explained

Several states allow lane splitting and Washington has considered a change but currently it’s law banning lane splitting stands.

Under RCW 46.61.608, motorcyclists who travel between rows of cars are breaking the law. The statute grants motorcyclists “full use of a lane” and may not pass a vehicle within the same lane.

Safety is the main concern behind the ban. Washington roads see heavy rain, limited visibility, and frequent congestion, all of which make lane splitting more dangerous. Lawmakers want every vehicle, including motorcycles, to stay within a single lane to lower the risk of collisions in stop-and-go traffic.

Lane Splitting vs. Lane Filtering

Confusion can sometimes be caused by these terms being used somewhat interchangeably. However, they do in fact describe different behaviors on the road.

• Lane splitting: moving through the narrow space that separates lanes of traffic moving the same direction.
• Lane filtering: moving between cars that are stopped, typically at a red light.

Lane splitting is illegal in Washington, but some riders might mistakenly believe lane filtering is treated differently. Although some states like Utah and Arizona allow for lane filtering but not lane splitting, Washington prohibits both..

Whether a rider moves between lanes of moving cars or slips between stopped vehicles at a light, both are prohibited. Either can lead to a citation and make fault more complicated if there’s a crash.

Tickets and Fines for Lane Splitting in Washington

If a rider is stopped for lane splitting in Washington, it’s handled as a traffic violation. An officer can issue a citation, and the fine usually falls between $130 and $150 depending on the county.

The rider’s driving record will also show the lane splitting ticket. Higher premiums can be a result since insurance companies will treat this like any other moving violation.

Lane Splitting Accidents in Washington

Although lane splitting usually leads to a citation in Washington, in some scenarios, the rider might not be fully to blame.

Fault can shift heavily toward the driver of the car in situations like where a motorist merges without checking mirrors, swings into a left turn across traffic, or opens a door into a rider. Even if the rider was lane splitting, those actions can sometimes outweigh the violation.

Insurers will usually lean on the citation to argue against paying, but fault in Washington is not all-or-nothing. Our Washington personal injury attorneys sort out how responsibility is divided and push back when insurers overstate the rider’s share.

What to Do After Lane Splitting Crash

Take Care of Yourself First

• Get medical attention immediately. Symptoms from head or back injuries can appear hours after a crash, even if you feel fine immediately after. In addition to protecting your health, early treatment establishes evidence that ties any injuries clearly to the crash.
• Call 911 and request police. Lane positions, signals, and driver and witness statements will all be recorded in an official crash report, establishing a clear base of evidence.

Document the Scene

• Photograph everything. Vehicle positions, damage, lane markings, lights, and weather conditions can all help show how the crash unfolded.
• Collect witness information. When fault is debated, independent accounts carry weight. Even grabbing a phone number or quick photo of a driver’s license helps.
• Preserve video and gear. Dashcam files, helmet cams, and damaged equipment can later serve as evidence showing the impact and timing of events.

Be Careful With What You Say

• Exchange information without admitting fault. Provide your license and insurance but avoid casual remarks like “I shouldn’t have watched closer before changing lanes.” Simple statements can be used against you later.
• Limit early communication with insurers. Report the crash as soon as possible, but decline making any recorded statements until after you’ve spoken with an attorney.

Keep a Record Going Forward

• Track your treatment and expenses. Save bills, receipts, and notes on time missed from work. Clear records make it harder for insurers to dispute the impact of the crash.
• Stay off social media. Even an innocent post can be pulled out of context to downplay your injuries or shift fault.

Get Legal Guidance Early

• Contact an attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can gather video evidence, interview witnesses, and push back if insurers try to overstate your share of fault. Freeman Law Firm can explain your options and protect your case.

How We Protect Your Case in Lane Splitting Disputes

Sorting Out Fault

Police usually cite the motorcyclist for lane splitting, but that ticket alone doesn’t settle who caused the crash. Our attorneys review the report, secure dashcam or surveillance footage, speak with witnesses, and use reconstruction experts when needed. Building that record keeps the focus on the rider’s conduct rather than a single line in a report.

Pushing Back on Insurance Tactics

Insurance adjusters may argue that the motorcyclist’s ticket is not enough to prove liability or try to shift blame onto you. We counter those arguments with evidence showing how the rider’s choice to cut between cars caused the collision.

Pursuing Full Recovery

Washington applies pure comparative negligence, which means fault is divided by percentages. Insurers usually try to assign part of the responsibility to the injured driver to reduce what they pay. Our attorneys push back by showing how lane splitting was the unlawful act that led to your injuries, which will strengthen your case for maximum compensation.

Will Washington Ever Legalize Lane Splitting?

A 2023 proposal didn’t change the law. House Bill 1063 asked to amend RCW 46.61.608 to allow lane splitting under tight conditions: at speeds no more than 10 mph over traffic and not exceeding 35 mph. The bill didn’t pass and there is currently no active effort underway to resurface.

Washington continues to treat lane splitting and filtering the same way. Both are illegal under the existing statute. Riders should avoid assuming laws will shift until something moves formally through the legislature.

Questions Drivers Ask After a Lane Splitting Crash

Can I recover damages if a motorcyclist hit me while lane splitting?

Yes. Lane splitting is illegal in Washington, and a ticket against the rider is strong evidence. Even if the insurer argues about shared fault, Washington’s pure comparative negligence law allows recovery when the motorcyclist’s actions caused the crash.

Does the motorcyclist’s ticket guarantee they are fully at fault?

Not automatically. The ticket is important, but insurers still review the full record. Other evidence—dashcam footage, witness statements, and crash reconstruction—can strengthen the case and show the rider caused the collision.

Will my insurance get involved if I wasn’t at fault?

Your own policy may come into play at first, but recovery is pursued against the rider and their coverage. If disputes arise, an attorney can protect you from insurers trying to push unfair responsibility onto you.

Is lane filtering treated differently than lane splitting in Washington?

No. Washington does not separate the two. Whether a rider cuts between moving cars or slips through stopped traffic, both are prohibited.

If You've Been in an Accident Caused by Lane Splitting

Being in a crash caused by a lane-splitting motorcyclist leaves you with medical bills, repairs, and insurance questions that can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to carry that burden alone.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a crash due to lane splitting, call the car accident attorneys at Freeman Law Firm at (253) 383-4500 or fill out our contact form. Our attorneys can explain your options and help protect your case.