St. Simons Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycling in St. Simons is very popular, for both tourists and locals, and the gorgeous scenery and flat terrain make for excellent motorcycle rides through a variety of scenic settings on the island. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents do occur, and when they happen, the results can be devastating for victims.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your damages, including medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages due to missed work, and other losses. Get in touch with a well-versed injury attorney to find out more. A St. Simons Island motorcycle accident lawyer could prove to be a valuable asset to your civil case today.
Georgia Motorcycle Laws
Georgia state law requires that all motorcycle users—drivers and passengers, adults and children—be equipped with protective headgear. Motorcycles also must be equipped with windshields, unless all passengers are wearing protective eye gear.
By law, motorcycle riders must maintain a minimum level of insurance coverage as well. In the event of an accident, injured motorcyclists typically have a two-year time limit from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party responsible for the incident. Speak with a St. Simons Island motorcycle accident lawyer for more information.
Comparative Negligence
Civil claims in St. Simons operate based on comparative negligence law. Under this rule, anyone injured in an accident for which they are found partially at fault may have their compensation reduced by their percentage of fault or barred altogether.
Victims may still recover compensation as long as they do not bear more than half of the liability for an accident. If another party is mostly at fault for a motorcycle crash, the victim could still seek damages through a motorcycle accident claim, but their final damage award may still be reduced by their percentage of fault for the incident. This standard of negligence is known as the modified comparative negligence rule.
Comparative Negligence Can Impact a Motorcycle Claim
Understanding comparative negligence doctrine can be important for motorcycle accident victims. If someone does not take safety precautions or follow state and local motorcycle laws, their failures to do so could be used as evidence of contributing negligence.
Evidence of failure to wear a motorcycle helmet or follow other Georgia motorcycle regulations during a motorcycle accident could result in a reduced recovery of damages when another party’s negligence largely caused the accident. However, even motorcycle riders who fail to wear helmets may still be able to hold the other party liable.
A skilled St. Simons Island motorcycle accident lawyer could evaluate the circumstances of an accident and determine whether a motorcycle rider’s own negligence, including failing to wear a helmet, is never enough that their claim may be invalid. Even if a motorcycle rider was negligent, their lawyer could still have success in establishing greater negligence by the other party involved.
Speak with a St. Simons Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Regardless of the specific circumstances that led to your motorcycle accident or whether you believe your own actions contributed to causing your accident in part, your St. Simons Island motorcycle accident lawyer could help you seek the recovery you need to pay your expenses stemming from the accident. If you suffer damages from a motorbike crash in St. Simons, call a local attorney to get your case started off on the right track.
