Cheyenne Group Ride Motorcycle Accident: When Another Rider Causes the Crash and How Wyoming Law Splits Fault

TL;DR - Key Takeaways

• If another rider caused your motorcycle crash in Wyoming, you can bring a claim against that rider. W.S. § 1-1-109(a)(i) counts any person whose fault is a proximate cause of the injury as an actor.
• Under W.S. § 31-5-115(e), two motorcycles may be driven abreast in the same lane by consent of both motorcycle drivers. Subsection (j) bars three or more abreast in a single lane.
• Subsection (f) bars a motorcycle from passing a vehicle in the lane that vehicle occupies, except another motorcycle. The rider must first match that motorcycle's speed. W.S. § 31-5-210(a) bars following more closely than is reasonable and prudent.
• You can recover if your fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of all actors. Your damages are reduced by your percentage, and each defendant pays only its own share.
• An injury lawsuit must be filed within four years under W.S. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C). A wrongful death action must be filed within two years after the death under W.S. § 1-38-102(d).

You're riding with friends outside Cheyenne when the rider ahead brakes late or drifts across your line. You go down, and the person who caused it is someone you know. That makes a Cheyenne group ride motorcycle accident feel personal. Wyoming law looks at whose conduct caused the crash and divides fault under W.S. § 1-1-109, whether the riders were friends or strangers.

At Metier Motorcycle Lawyers, we handle a crash caused by a riding companion as a liability claim against that rider. "Wyoming lets two motorcycles ride side by side in one lane when both riders agree to it, and it bars three or more abreast," says Patrick DiBenedetto, Partner at Metier Law Firm and a rider himself. "Riding with friends doesn't change those rules. After a group ride crash, we start with who agreed to ride side by side, how much room each rider left, and who passed within the lane."

Wyoming Lane-Sharing Rules for Group Rides

W.S. § 31-5-115(e) gives every motorcycle full use of a lane. No motor vehicle may be driven in a way that deprives a motorcycle of that use. The same subsection sets Wyoming law on riding two abreast: two motorcycles may be driven abreast in the same lane by consent of both motorcycle drivers. Subsection (j) bars three or more abreast in a single lane. WYDOT's motorcycle safety laws page summarizes the full-lane, same-lane passing, between-lanes, and three-abreast rules.

The side-by-side permission in subsection (e) depends on both riders agreeing. Without that agreement, the full-use rule in the same subsection applies. Under subsection (q), motorcycles in an officially authorized parade are exempt from subsections (e) through (o).

Same-Lane Passing and Riding Between Lanes

Under W.S. § 31-5-115(f), a motorcycle operator can't overtake and pass a vehicle within the lane that vehicle occupies, except another motorcycle. A rider passing another motorcycle in its lane must first match that motorcycle's speed. Subsection (g) bars riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

Following Distance and Lane Changes in Formation

W.S. § 31-5-210(a) bars following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. The driver must have due regard for the speed of the vehicles, the traffic, and the condition of the highway. It's the rule on a motorcycle following too closely in Wyoming, and it covers a trailing rider who runs into the motorcycle ahead.

On a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes, W.S. § 31-5-209(a)(i) requires a vehicle to be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane. The driver can't move out of that lane until first making sure the move can be made safely.

Evidence From a Rider-on-Rider Crash

In a Cheyenne group ride motorcycle accident, the other riders hold evidence on their phones and in their memories. We work early to secure:

• The crash report and case number
• Helmet camera or phone video from anyone in the group
• Names and phone numbers of every rider and witness
• Messages showing the planned formation and who agreed to ride side by side
• Photos of each motorcycle's damage and where it came to rest
• Medical records from your first visit forward

Our SafeRider® Accident Investigation Program brings in crash reconstruction specialists to determine each motorcycle's speed, movement, and position before impact. For the steps from the scene forward, see our guide on what to do after a motorcycle accident in Cheyenne.

If you've been hurt in a motorcycle crash and need answers, call us at 833-4-MOTO-LAW (833-466-8652) or schedule a free consultation at www.metierlaw.com.

Who Pays After a Cheyenne Group Ride Motorcycle Accident?

Fault and insurance decide who pays. W.S. § 1-1-109(a)(i) defines an "actor" as any person whose fault is a proximate cause of the injury, whether or not that person is a party to the lawsuit. The definition makes no exception for someone you were riding with. Under subsection (b), your own fault doesn't bar recovery if it's not more than 50% of the total fault of all actors. Your damages are reduced by your percentage. Subsection (e) makes each defendant liable only for its own share of the total fault.

Say a jury finds $100,000 in damages after a crash involving two other riders:

• You at 20%, Rider A at 50%, Rider B at 30%: you recover $80,000. With both riders as defendants, Rider A owes $50,000 and Rider B owes $30,000.
• You at 50%: you recover $50,000.
• You at 51%: you recover nothing.

If you sue only Rider A, the jury can still assign Rider B's 30%, and Rider A owes $50,000. For group ride crash liability, leaving a rider out of the case doesn't move that rider's share onto anyone else.

Subsection (a)(iv) includes assumption of risk in "fault." In Brittain v. Booth, 601 P.2d 532 (Wyo. 1979), the Wyoming Supreme Court held that assumption of risk isn't an absolute defense to a negligence action. It's a basis for apportioning fault.

Insurance When Another Rider Is at Fault

W.S. § 31-4-103(a) bars the owner of a motor vehicle that must be registered from operating it, or letting anyone else operate it, without a liability policy or a qualifying bond. W.S. § 31-9-405(b) sets the policy minimums at $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person and $50,000 for two or more people in one accident. If the at-fault rider had no coverage or too little, the gap falls to your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if your policy includes it. Our post on UM/UIM coverage for Cheyenne motorcycle riders covers what Wyoming requires. For how fault and coverage limits affect value, see what a motorcycle accident claim is worth in Cheyenne.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a claim if another rider caused my Cheyenne group ride motorcycle accident?

Yes, if that rider's fault was a proximate cause of your injuries. W.S. § 1-1-109 assigns a share of fault to every such actor. If that rider carried liability coverage, the claim goes to that rider's insurer.

Is riding two abreast legal under Wyoming law?

Yes, for two motorcycles in the same lane when both motorcycle drivers consent, under W.S. § 31-5-115(e). Subsection (j) bars three or more abreast in a single lane.

What if several riders share fault in a group ride crash?

Under W.S. § 1-1-109(b), you can recover if your fault is not more than 50% of the total fault of all actors. Your damages are reduced by your percentage. Each defendant pays only its own share, and the jury can assign fault to a rider you didn't sue.

How long do I have to file after a rider-on-rider crash in Wyoming?

An injury lawsuit from a Cheyenne group ride motorcycle accident must be filed within four years after the cause of action accrues under W.S. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C). A wrongful death action must be filed within two years after the death under W.S. § 1-38-102(d).

When the Crash Involved Someone You Ride With

We ride Wyoming roads too, and we know how fast spacing closes when one rider brakes late or drifts. Every rider in the group had to follow the same lane-sharing and following rules. A Cheyenne group ride motorcycle accident claim depends on evidence gathered while the other riders' memories are fresh. Our Cheyenne motorcycle accident lawyer team at Metier Law Firm can review those facts before you give a recorded statement or accept an early offer.

Call Metier Motorcycle Lawyers at 833-4-MOTO-LAW (833-466-8652) or schedule your free consultation today at www.metierlaw.com.

Disclaimer: Past results discussed should not be considered a guarantee of your results as the factors of every case are individually unique. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney from Metier Law Firm regarding your individual situation for legal advice.