St. Simons Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer
St. Simons Island boasts more than 30 bike trails around the island, winding throughout the island’s historic landmarks, scenic marshlands, and ocean-side paths. Newly constructed bike trails also grace the modern shopping, dining and entertainment areas, and in some places, bicycles can even be ridden directly on the beach. Most resorts have bicycles available for rental, and most tourist attractions have bicycle corrals.
Unfortunately, the popularity of bicycles on St. Simons Island comes with an increased risk of bicycle accidents, many of which stem from the reckless or negligent acts of another person. Whatever the circumstances of your bicycle accident, a seasoned attorney could help you figure out which party bears responsibility for your injuries and whether you may have a viable personal injury claim for the damages stemming from your incident. Do not hesitate to reach out to a St. Simons Island bicycle accident lawyer.
Bicycling Laws and Regulations
As in the rest of Georgia, the law on St. Simons Island considers bicycles to be vehicles, which means bicyclists must obey all traffic laws that cars and other motor vehicles have to follow. Helmets are required for children under age 16.
In most areas, bicyclists must use the roadways rather than the sidewalk, but in others, they may be required to use a bike path if one is available. For this reason, it is important for bicyclists on St. Simons Island to pay attention to where they may and may not ride, as well as what the appropriate safety recommendations are. Get in contact with a St. Simons Island bicycle accident lawyer to learn more about the laws and regulations pertaining to bikes.
Bicycle Accident Liability
After a bike accident on St. Simons Island, there are a variety of individuals, organizations, and entities who may be held legally responsible for any resulting injuries and damages. Some parties that could potentially bear liability include but are not limited to:
- Bicycle rental companies
- Hotels and resorts
- Other bicyclists
- Motor vehicles drivers
- Bicycle or trailer manufacturers
- Entities responsible for maintaining bike trails and roadways.
Of course, whether a person or entity is ultimately liable for the victim’s injuries depends on several factors. For instance, it can sometimes be more difficult to hold a government entity responsible for negligence, since they are protected by certain immunities. A St. Simons Island bicycle accident lawyer could analyze the circumstances surrounding a bicycle accident and determine who may be liable, as well as whether any exceptions to immunities apply.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Georgia
One reason why it is so important to understand which parties are responsible for causing a bicycle accident is because under Georgia law, victims may have their compensation reduced or barred altogether if they are found to have contributed to their own accident. On St. Simons Island, victims may still seek compensation from the other party under the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, so long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for their accident.
Talk to a St. Simons Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Tourists and residents alike enjoy experiencing the ocean-side biking and enjoying the sea air and trees laden with Spanish moss on St. Simons Island. Because the terrain is mostly flat surface, St. Simons Island is a popular biking destination for bicyclists of all skill levels.
However, it is always possible that even an experienced bicyclist could become injured while engaging in their favorite exercise, especially if someone driving a vehicle on the road nearby is not paying attention and runs into them. If you suffer an injury like this due to someone else’s actions, an experienced St. Simons Island bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help. Call today to schedule a consultation.
