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Statistics show that the state of Florida has had numerous hit-and-run collisions that have resulted in thousands of individuals being injured and hundreds of people being killed over the years. Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey is one of the attorneys who has worked with many individuals who have been involved in such accidents to ensure that their legal rights were protected and that they obtained the just compensation they deserved. But lawmakers in Florida have crafted and passed a bill that is aimed at providing even harsher penalties for those who decide to flee the scene after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The bill awaits signature from the governor.

The Requirements of the Bill

The bill, also known as the "Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act," requires drivers of motor vehicles who are involved in accidents that result in "serious bodily injury to a person to immediately stop the vehicle and remain at the scene of the crash; providing that a person commits a felony of the second degree if he or she fails to stop the vehicle and remain at the scene of the crash until specified requirements are fulfilled; requiring the court to revoke for at least 3 years the driver's license of a person convicted of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, serious bodily injury, or death, etc." Once signed by the governor, the bill is expected to go into effect on July 1, 2014.

Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey is aware that the bill stems from an incident that occurred with Aaron Cohen, who was out one morning riding his bike when someone operating a motor vehicle hit him and fled the scene. Apparently, the driver of the vehicle had been out drinking the previous night, and the driver did not turn himself in until the next day. Cohen died as a result of that accident, and because of the amount of time that had passed, there was no evidence to indicate that the driver of the automobile was intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision. The judge could only sentence the driver to less than a year in jail since the driver could only be charged with hit and run and not DUI manslaughter.

Ultimately, the bill requires that any hit-and-run driver who flees the scene and leaves someone dead will face a minimum jail term. Additionally, the driver, who would also be subject to license revocation for three years, would be required to take driving courses prior to being able to get his or her license back. What the law seeks to do is to make the punishment just as severe (if not more) as if the individual had stayed at the scene of the accident until law enforcement arrived.

If you or someone you love has been hurt by a hit-and-run driver, and you would like to learn more about your rights under the law, contact a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. right away.