Is Lane Splitting Legal in Tennessee?

According to preliminary data from the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were nearly 3,000 motorcycle-involved crashes across the state in 2025. Motorcycle accidents are uniquely dangerous when compared to other kinds of motor vehicle crashes. Riders are at an elevated risk of being injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, which is why it is so important for motorcyclists and passenger vehicle drivers to follow state traffic laws and exercise extreme caution when sharing our local roads.

Reckless driving practices like lane splitting can increase the risk of a serious motorcycle crash. In Tennessee, lane splitting and similar activities are prohibited by law because of the safety concerns they pose. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash and you believe illegal lane splitting may have been to blame, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. Here is a brief explanation of what lane splitting is and how this dangerous practice can impact car accident claims in Tennessee.

What is lane splitting?

Lane splitting is a type of traffic maneuver in which a motorcyclist drives their bike between two different lanes of traffic rather than staying in one designated lane. The practice is fairly common in high-traffic environments because lane splitting allows a rider to weave around stalled or slow traffic to avoid delays. Some riders also say that lane splitting helps them avoid rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic.

While driving along I-65 or Briley Parkway, where traffic can easily get backed up, you may see more than one motorcyclist weaving between cars or navigating around traffic along the road’s shoulder. Just because the practice is common, however, does not mean it is permissible under state or local laws.

Is lane splitting legal in Tennessee?

According to Tennessee Code § 55-8-182, lane splitting is against the law here in Tennessee. As frustrating as this may be for motorcyclists, the law exists to protect and preserve the safety of all our local motorists. In addition to prohibiting lane splitting, this same statute prevents motorcyclists from:

• Overtaking and passing another vehicle within the same lane of traffic
• Riding between adjacent rows of vehicles
• Riding shoulder-to-shoulder with more than two motorcycles in one lane

For the most part, this means motorcyclists are expected to operate their bikes the same way other motor vehicle drivers do. No zig-zagging between cars. No riding down the center of the interstate. No zooming around traffic delays. Riders who fail to comply with these traffic laws not only put themselves in legal jeopardy but may also put themselves and others at an increased risk of physical harm.

We understand that Nashville traffic can be a major inconvenience – particularly during peak traveling times – but the risks of lane splitting far outweigh any of the potential benefits. Even if traffic is at a complete standstill, riders must stay in their own lane in order to keep themselves and their fellow motorists safe.

Why is lane splitting dangerous?

Even though it might seem like a good idea to use lane splitting to dodge traffic jams, the dangers of lane splitting are hardly worth the few minutes it might save an impatient rider. In 2025, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported that roughly 8% of all motorcycle crashes were linked to reckless, careless, and/or aggressive driving practices. Lane splitting is one such practice that can place motorcyclists and neighboring motorists at an increased risk of harm.

Here are a few different factors that contribute to the relative danger of behaviors like lane splitting:

Poor visibility

Motorcycles are already hard to see due to their smaller size, but lane splitting can further compromise visibility. If a motorcyclist is traveling between two adjacent cars, for example, the bike may be situated in one or both of the drivers’ blind spots. In this scenario, a driver could easily change lanes on top of the motorcycle without even realizing it was there.

Sudden lane changes

Illegal and unsafe lane changes can cause significant damage in a variety of crash scenarios. If a motorcyclist is lane splitting in a high-traffic area, they could end up weaving into a lane of traffic where a motor vehicle driver is actively in the middle of initiating a lane change. This could result in a high-impact collision that causes serious harm to the motorcyclist and vehicle occupants.

Reduced reaction time

Lane splitting is particularly common in traffic backlogs where vehicles are close together. In this kind of bumper-to-bumper traffic, drivers have less time and space to respond to oncoming threats. If a motorcyclist is weaving between vehicles in the middle of a traffic jam, they may be unable to brake or swerve with enough lead time to avoid roadway hazards or other encroaching vehicles.

Who is liable in a Tennessee lane-splitting accident?

In most Tennessee car accidents, negligence plays a central role in determinations of liability. To establish negligence in a civil claim, an injured party generally needs to show that the other person involved in their case directly caused them harm by violating their legal duty of care.

In some cases, a traffic violation like illegal lane splitting could constitute such a violation, but it depends heavily on the specific facts of the crash. Additionally, Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system that can significantly impact a crash survivor’s recovery options. Under this system, accident victims must show that they were less than 50% responsible for their own injuries in order to recover compensation from another involved party.

If an investigation reveals that someone was, say, 35% responsible for the crash that injured them, they can still pursue damages from the other involved party, but their final damage amount will be reduced by 35% as well. This is a key consideration in lane-splitting accidents because the negligence of multiple parties could have contributed simultaneously to one crash outcome.

What compensation is available in lane-splitting accidents?

If you were injured in a lane-splitting accident in Nashville, you may be within your rights to pursue a claim for compensation if you can show that the motorcyclist’s negligent behavior caused or primarily contributed to the accident. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for certain economic and non-economic losses.

Economic losses are things like medical bills, car repair costs, and lost wages. Since motorcycle accidents often result in extensive property damage and physical injuries, compensation for economic losses can help to offset many of these mounting costs. There is no cap on economic damages in personal injury cases like car accidents under Tennessee law.

Non-economic damages are different in that they are the kinds of losses you can not always see on the surface. Car accidents can be traumatic, and they can be a source of many different kinds of personal suffering. Compensation for non-economic losses can help account for things like the physical pain experienced by a victim, as well as the emotional toll a serious accident takes. These damages are generally capped at $750,000 in the state of Tennessee.

Talk to a lane-splitting accident lawyer today

Tennesseans are known for their hospitality and volunteer spirit, and a large part of being a responsible member of our local community is prioritizing the safety of others. As traffic in and around Nashville continues to increase, the temptation to shirk local lane-splitting laws will only grow. No matter how backed up things get, however, this practice remains illegal due to the significant risks it poses to Nashville motorists.

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating damage motorcycle-involved crashes can cause on Nashville’s crowded roadways. If you were injured in a car accident and you believe an illegal practice like lane splitting was the root cause of the collision, our team might be able to support you in your fight for compensation.

Give us a call 24/7 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case consultation. We will talk you through your options and help you land on the right path forward in your case.