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Bicyclists often have a difficult time sharing the road with automobiles. However, bike riders should be aware that they have rights just like individuals who operate motor vehicles. Sadly in Florida, bicyclists are involved in accidents on a routine basis, and as most Fort Myers personal injury attorneys will tell you, those accidents can lead to serious injuries or even death.

In fact, attorney Randall Spivey notes that because bike riders do not enjoy the protections that automobiles can offer, such as airbags and seatbelts, accidents that occur between automobiles and bicycles can have disastrous outcomes. That said, it is imperative for individuals who have been involved in bicycle accidents to learn about their legal options and ensure that they obtain the just compensation they deserve for their injuries. 

What You SHOULD Do

One of the first things that bicyclists should do after being involved in an accident is to make sure that they take care of themselves from a medical standpoint. Anyone who believes that he or she has suffered injuries from an accident should call 911 and seek medical assistance immediately.

If a cyclist believes that he or she is well enough to gather some information about the accident, that should be done as quickly as possible while the information is still fresh on the minds of those involved. It is important for bike riders to get the make, color, model and license plate number of the driver's automobile, where possible. Additionally, most Fort Myers personal injury attorneys will tell you that if there were witnesses present in the area, accident victims should make certain to obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of those witnesses, as they may prove to be crucial to proving your case should you end up going to court.

Further, cyclists should take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicle that hit them, and if the bike was equipped with a GPS system, they should retain the data, which could also prove to be valuable to a court case.

A Few Things That You Should NOT Do

One thing that many accident victims are often tempted to do is to talk about the accident to any and everybody who will listen. However, that may not always be the best course of action, especially if the conversation is held with the driver of the vehicle who may be at fault for the accident. Bicyclists who are victims of accidents should never discuss any aspect of the accident with the driver of the automobile that was involved because any statements made can be used against them by the driver's insurance company.

Additionally, cyclists should not attempt to negotiate directly with the auto drivers, and they should make sure that they obtain the driver's license and insurance information prior to the driver leaving the scene.

Accidents between bicycles and automobiles can lead to complicated legal issues. If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident while riding a bicycle, contact the Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, PA today.