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Sadly, motor vehicle accidents are a part of daily life, not only in the state of Florida, but all throughout the rest of the country. Fort Myers personal injury attorneys like Randall Spivey know that, although bike riders have just as many rights to travel on the roadways as motor vehicles, some vehicle operators still fail to take the proper precautions necessary to help ensure that accidents are avoided. A recent news story serves as a reminder of the issue, and it also highlights another issue--hit-and-run crashes.

According to a local news outlet, a 22-year-old male, who was riding his bicycle on Pines Boulevard, was hit from behind by a hit-and-run driver. The Pembroke Pines police noted that the bicyclist was taken to a nearby hospital where he was said to be in critical condition. At the time of the article, police had yet to locate the driver of the automobile, noting that they are searching for a Land Rover that has "front-end damage possibly on the passenger's side."

What You Need to Do If You're Hit by a Motor Vehicle

It is not uncommon for accident victims to be shaken up after an accident occurs. Still, it is very important for individuals to keep a few things in mind as they attempt to deal with the aftermath of the accident. Of course, most Fort Myers personal injury attorneys will tell you that if you sustained serious injuries from your bike accident, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Taking care of yourself and your medical needs first should always be of top concern above everything else. However, if your injuries are less serious, there are a few steps you should take to preserve your legal rights.

Bike riders who have been involved in accidents should contact local law enforcement as soon as possible afterwards. It is also important to take photographs of the incident, particularly of any damage that occurred, as well as the injuries sustained, if visible. Additionally, bicyclists should make certain that they maintain a copy of the police report and jot down their own notes regarding the accident, in case their memory needs to be jogged in the future. Accident victims are also encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible, and they should not speak with anyone else about the particulars of the accident.

Drivers Who Flee the Scene

As noted in the story above, there are some drivers who may not stick around after an accident takes place. Unfortunately, thousands of bicyclists and pedestrians are either injured or killed by motor vehicle operators who chose to leave the scene of the accident. Hit-and-run accidents have been such a problem in Florida that earlier this year, lawmakers passed the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, which calls for a mandatory four-year minimum sentence for any driver who flees the scene of an accident in which a death has occurred, and increases other penalties as well. 

While it may not be easy to track down a vehicle that flees the scene of an accident, any victim who is able to catch a description of the vehicle or even a license plate number will help to increase their chances of getting justice in their case. If you were riding your bicycle and sustained an injury due to being hit by a motor vehicle, contact the Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.