John W. Redmann | July 1, 2026 | Motorcycle Accident
There’s a lot of confusion among riders on the topic of where it’s legal to ride between lanes of traffic in the United States. Many motorcyclists assume that lane splitting and lane filtering are the same thing, but the law treats them differently. Learning about the distinction matters, as the rules change significantly depending on which state you’re riding in.
As of 2026, only a handful of states allow any form of lane splitting or filtering. If you ride in a state where it isn’t permitted and you’re involved in a crash, such as Louisiana, it could seriously affect your ability to recover compensation. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine how the law applies to your situation; until then, read on for further information.
The Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering
Lane splitting refers to a motorcyclist riding between two lanes of traffic that is actively moving in the same direction. This is the more aggressive of the two practices, and it remains illegal in every state except California and, to a limited extent, Minnesota.
Lane filtering is more limited. It involves a motorcyclist moving between lanes of traffic that is either completely stopped or barely crawling. Several states now allow this under specific conditions, including speed caps and restrictions on road type. However, since the laws differ so much by state, it’s important to know exactly what’s permitted where you ride.
States That Currently Allow Lane Splitting or Filtering
As of 2026, the following states permit some form of lane splitting or lane filtering:
- California: The only state that allows full lane splitting between moving traffic, with no set speed cap written into the law
- Utah: Lane filtering is legal when traffic is stopped on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less, and the rider cannot exceed 15 mph
- Arizona: Similar to Utah, filtering is allowed when traffic is stopped on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less at speeds no greater than 15 mph
- Montana: Filtering is legal, but the rider cannot exceed 20 mph and must stay within 10 mph of the surrounding traffic speed
- Colorado: Filtering became legal in August 2024, permitted only when traffic is completely stopped with a 15 mph cap for the rider
- Minnesota: Filtering and a limited form of lane splitting became legal in July 2025, with a 25 mph cap and added protections against drivers who intentionally block riders
Several other states are considering similar legislation. However, as of now, lane splitting and filtering remain illegal everywhere else in the country, and that includes Louisiana.
How These Laws Can Affect a Personal Injury Claim
If you’re involved in an accident while legally filtering through stopped traffic, the other driver may be held liable for your injuries just like in any other crash. However, if you were splitting lanes in a state where it isn’t allowed, that violation could be used as evidence of negligence against you.
Most states, Louisiana among them, follow some version of comparative negligence, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your share of fault. In a worst-case scenario, illegal lane splitting could make you the majority at-fault party, which could bar you from recovering any money damages whatsoever.
Contact the Metairie Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Law Office of John W. Redmann, L.L.C. for Help Today
Lane splitting and lane filtering laws continue to evolve, but they remain illegal in most states, including Louisiana. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, understanding how these laws affect fault and liability is an important part of protecting your rights.
If you were injured in an accident in Metairie or Gretna, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our motorcycle accident attorneys at The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC, to schedule a free case review today.
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