Alabama motorcyclists must contend with many dangers while traveling along Alabama’s highways and roads. Oftentimes cars and trucks fail to see motorcycles and injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are often serious or even fatal. A recent wrongful death that occurred on I-459, however, proves that motorcyclists and their fellow riders can also be a danger to one another.
Every year, motorcyclists from around Alabama participate in the annual Teddy Bear Ride benefit. The benefit helps raise funds for the Alabama Children’s Hospital. Sadly, the recent 19th annual Teddy Bear Ride benefit has left one motorcyclists dead and another injured.
Oftentimes when motorcyclists ride together they do so in a close group. Two motorcyclists who were traveling in one such a group collided along I-459. One of the motorcyclists, a 56-year-old man, suffered severe injuries and died at the scene of the accident. The 66-year-old motorcyclist with whom he collided also sustained multiple injuries and was transported to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital.
Police are still investigating the fatal accident and potential contributing factors. Sadly a day that was supposed to celebrate the lives of children and raise monies for their benefit, took a tragic turn.
While the cause of this accident is not yet known, there are several possibilities. One or both of the motorcyclists involved in the crash may have been distracted causing them to drift into the other’s lane. It’s also possible that one of the motorcyclists attempted to maneuver their motorcycle without properly checking their mirrors.
This tragic motorcycle accident serves as a solemn reminder to all drivers of the importance of practicing safe driving behaviors.
Source: Alabama Live, “Man dies in motorcycle accident on I-459,” Sarah A. McCarty, Nov. 3, 2012
