Jul 1, 2025
Operating a motorcycle in North Dakota or Minnesota has always presented unique challenges due to the shortened operating season, but with the passage of a new law in Minnesota allowing motorcycles to ride between lanes of traffic, things have become riskier.
The new law going into effect makes Minnesota the sixth state to allow a motorcycle to ride between lanes of traffic under certain conditions. The other states who have allowed this maneuver (Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Montana) generally see motorcycle operation for a greater part of the year than Minnesota.
The Minnesota law allows a motorcycle to “split the lanes” and travel between moving vehicles when traffic is going 25 mph or slower. While the law states this may be done only when it is “safe to do so,” it is hard to imagine when it would be safe. “Splitting the lanes” also splits the time for a motorcyclist to react if one of the vehicles begins to swerve because of environmental conditions such as wind or because of simple inattention by the vehicle operator. In Minnesota, the typical width of a road is 12 feet with some lesser used roads being 11 feet wide. The typical width of a passenger vehicle ranges between 5.8 to 6.6 feet, excluding the mirrors. When mirrors are added, the margin for error is minimal. There will be little margin for error if an operator attempts to split the lane between an SUV and a one-ton pickup equipped with extended mirrors while hauling a trailer/camper.
The Minnesota law also allows a motorcycle to “filter” through the lanes by slowly moving through the lanes of traffic when the vehicles are stopped for a traffic light or traffic jam. “Lane filtering” is seemingly the less risky part of the law and one that is more commonly experienced. Caution must still be exercised for the reasons stated above: There is little room for error when trying to squeeze through a small window of opportunity.
The National Safety Council reports that in 2021, while motorcycles made up only 3% of all registered vehicles and 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic deaths and 17% of all occupant deaths in crashes. This new law will likely result in additional collisions for motorcyclists who are operating within the boundaries of the new law, particularly as those in Minnesota adapt to the change.
Filing A Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim
Seeking compensation for the injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident can be challenging. Insurance companies may attempt to place the blame back on the victim, often claiming that they took a “risk” by riding a motorcycle, and that the injuries or death are the result of that risk. They may also argue anyone operating a motorcycle without a helmet is accepting the risk of a more serious injury or death. With the passage of this new law in Minnesota, we anticipate the companies to also argue that while legal to do so, attempting to “split the lanes” was an inherently dangerous activity and that doing so was not “safe.”
We do not accept those arguments as a reasonable explanation or excuse to avoid liability and financial responsibility for the damage you have suffered. According to the National Safety Council, in 2021, 72% of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were NOT alcohol impaired. In fact, most took place on urban roads (67%) and in good weather (83%). The simple truth is that despite better lighting on the motorcycle and defensive driving by the motorcycle operator, other vehicles commonly pull out in front of motorcycle operators, causing collisions. In the Midwest where weather makes motorcycle operation seasonal, many vehicle operators “don’t see” motorcycles while driving, which may be exacerbated when a motorcycle legally “splits the lanes” in Minnesota.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys aggressively pursue compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses on your behalf. We gather all the evidence, including information on weather and road conditions on the day of the accident, the rate of speed at which the vehicles were traveling, any traffic control devices that may have been ignored or were inexplicably absent, and much more. It is our goal to have more than enough evidence to show that you were not at fault for the accident and that the negligence of someone else led to your injuries.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today
Our Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help you every step of the way with your motorcycle accident or other personal injury case. Get started with our firm today. Call our office at 701-237-6983 or contact us to schedule a consultation.