Motorcycle accident around 10:15 on Patton Island Bridge

Good advice. Being on a motorcycle does not confer invulnerability on you. Riding recklessly on a motorcycle is simply evolution in action.

And you spelled "cringed" properly.

I didn't realize it, but was talking with my husband about accident, and the guy came off his bike, and both ended up around 200 feet away. I really do pray that he will make it thru this. I am going to try and talk to police to get his name, so I can find out if he is okay.

Witnessing a bad accident is pretty traumatic! I will certainly 'send one up' for the victim....and one for you and yours, as well.

Unfortunately with the price of gas going up we are going to see more inexperienced motorcycle riders on the road and more accidents as a result. Todays crowded roadways are not the place to learn how to ride a motorcycle. No one and I mean no one should ever take to the open road on a motorcycle without going through an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. There are two training courses available in this area that I know of, one is offered in Tuscumbia and the other is located at Rocket Harley-Davidson (called Riders Edge) in Madison AL. These training courses are very reasonable in cost and are offered for new riders (basic) as well as one offered for experienced (advanced). I have attended both courses and believe me, they will teach even the most experienced long term riders tools and techniques to use that will help them survive on their motorcycles. Armed with the knowledge and experience of having gone through one or both of the courses it also makes the riding experience more pleasurable and gives the rider more skills to deal with and avoid tragic accidents like this one that happened on the bridge. My fiance' went through the basic course almost a year ago and I was fortunate enough to be able to watch her do most of the outside riders courses. Before the training, she expressed the desire that she wanted to ride her own bike and I told her that I would help her to accomplish her wishes only if she attended and completed the basic course. She completed the course and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She now rides her own bike. Another bit of information that I might offer too is that you do not have to already own a motorcycle to take the basic course. A motorcycle is provided to you to ride during the training as part of the training package. For the advanced course you ride your own motorcycle. As dreamn mentioned, it also makes me cringe and shake my head in dispair when I see a rider acting in a foolhearted manner on a motorcycle. The wreckless and dangerous actions of an inexperienced and careless rider only increases the probability of an accident and serious injury. Sorry for such a long post but I strongly believe in the proper training BEFORE you ride. Keep the shiney side up......... Cherokee, Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club

i've been riding for years. yes, i have "laid down" a few times but never anything bad. i've been lucky. i do ride at unusual times. early in the morning or late at night. in the peak traffic times i prefer to be inside some sheet metal. i just don't trust people's driving anymore. i try to ride when the roads are "empty". i realize this isn't the fun time to ride but, i'd rather be alive!

My brother was in a near fatal motorcycle accident 3 years ago a 14 year old (yes that is correct 14 yrs. old) turned in front of him he suffered numerous injuries and just before his accident I was witness to one on Hwy 72 in Tuscumbia it was the worse feeling needless to say it is very difficult to see someone riding safetly much less carelessly, which I have witnessed on several occassions crossing Patton Island Bridge. One morning on my way to work I heard a motorcycle just barreling down Hwy 133 just as he hit the bridge the popped a wheely going at least 80 miles per hour I was angry and afraid I was about to witness yet another motorcycle accident and was saying to myself if he were to wreck he probably would not survive thank the Lord he didn't wreck. In saying all of this please drive cautiously and safetly. (Please excuse my grammer and punctuations)

I'd guess we'll see more accidents, with the rise of cell phone use while driving.

I was outside near Dr. Hicks last night and I heard the motorcycle racing across the bridge. He was on the gas hard! I never heard the collision but I was listening to them... then about 1-2 minutes the ambulance and fire dept headed that direction.

I actually saw the bike hanging on a tow truck in MS last night, looked bad

The injured cyclist's name is Randall Hammond of Muscle Shoals. He was transported to Huntville Hospital on Med+Flight. He was hurt pretty badly and is now in a coma. I'm sure his family appreciates everyone's prayers and concern.

OMG, I hope is is ok.
The last time I rode on the back of a motorcycle I was amazed at the people that did not even notice us when they were pulling out. There is no protection on a motorcycle. The helmet is good, but in cars we wear seatbelts and the motorcyclist doesn't have a chance.
A motorcycle went down once with me on it. It was minor, but I was still skinned up quite a bit. I was much younger and braver then. The older I get the more cautious I get.

Oh man, I hate hearing about these kinds of accidents.

My thoughts, prayers and strength being sent out to his family, friends and him, during his time. I really hope that he is able to pull through this.

I can't imagine witnessing something like this, so anyone that did, also have my thoughts as well.

~Amanda

I've ridden sportbikes for 12 years. There is a common saying amongst bikers, "There are 2 kinds of riders, those that have been down and those that are going." I never would've believed that until I had my first bad one when I was hit by a drunk driver on Florence Blvd in 97. And then I had a second of my own doing in the Smokey Mountains on a tight curve.

Bottom line is that most of us are thrill seekers and when you give someone with thrill seeker tendencies, no matter what age, a machine capable of doing 180mph+ then bad things are going to happen eventually. No different than driving a Ferrari without any proper driver training for that machine. We need different stages of Motorcycle Licenses in this country such as:

250cc License
500cc License
750cc License
900cc License
1000cc and above License

You shouldn't be able to purchase a 750cc bike unless you've first had training and a License for both the 250cc Class and the 500cc Class as well as all the training for the 750cc Class. With the proper training and the right knowledge of how the bikes work and how to avoid traffic accidents from everyone else on the road, we could save lives and money. This is how it is in Europe for motorcycle riding.

quote:

You shouldn't be able to purchase a 750cc bike unless you've first had training and a License for both the 250cc Class and the 500cc Class as well as all the training for the 750cc Class. With the proper training and the right knowledge of how the bikes work and how to avoid traffic accidents from everyone else on the road, we could save lives and money. This is how it is in Europe for motorcycle riding.

In my opinion that is a terrible Idea. More tedious layers of beaurocracy with doubtful meaningful safety improvement. I also don't give a flying rat's patoot how the Euroweenies do it.

After a few phone calls today, I was told his name and number to Huntsville Hospital. His friend that came back to the accident last night answered the phone. His name is Randall Hammond. He broke his neck, facial and cranial fractures, and his brain is swelling. He is moving his legs and arms but is in a coma. And from what my husband told me last night, he was burned all over from the pavement. Bless him, and his family, and his friend, Ronnie at this time. I will be praying for them many nights to come. And ask that everyone else keeps them in their prayers. I have not been able to keep my thoughts off the accident last night.

RANDY IS MY BROTHER INLAW.AND YES HE IS IN BAD SHAPE,BUT GOD IS WITH HIM AND WAS THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT.IM SURE HIS WIFE [ MY SISTER ] AND THEIR DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON. WOULD APPRICATE YOUR PRAYERS. SO PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.RANDY HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR FAMILY FOR OVER 24 YRS.AND IS A GOOD MAN HE WOULD HELP ANYONE AND ASK FOR NOTHING IN RETURN.WE ALL LOVE HIM.JUST KEEP ALL YOUR PRAYERS COMMING,FOR HIM TO COME BACK TO US.

Ronnie (Randy's friend) has called me daily to let me know how he is doing. I know he must be in horrible pain, but I think many prayers are being answered and he is going to get thru this. There is a good samaritan account in Randall Hammond's name at Bank Independent. I am sure that any help anyone can give will be greatly appreciated. Please keep them all in your prayers..

sorry to hear about this and wish him the very best.

How is Mr. Hammond doing now?