There are many benefits to riding a motorcycle and a number of people around the world who are biking enthusiasts — creating clubs and going on long trips that are meant to be about the ride more than the destination.  Good motto for life, no?

On the other hand, let’s think about the problems that can come with riding a motorcycle: less protection, more prone to accidents, and increasing the chance of wrongful death if something does go wrong out on the road.

Unfortunately, another life was lost on a two-wheeled, motorized vehicle in a fatal head-on motorcycle accident that killed motorist Virgil Frank Garrett in Alpine.

For our firm’s motorcycle accident attorneys, this kind of incident is familiar territory.  Year after year our lawyers handle cases that involve motorcycle accidents that left drivers and passengers with physical disabilities and permanent scars, but the worst kinds of these collisions are the ones that take someone’s life prematurely.

El Cajon resident Garrett, 49, was in control of his hog’s handlebars as he drove east on Alpine Boulevard, only to himself at the whim of the road as his motorcycle swerved into the other lane when going through a deadly curve.  Oncoming traffic did not have time enough to react and the driver of a Honda Accord struck Garrett even though he tried to avoided the biker with the limited amount of reflex seconds he had at his disposal.  The outcome was a head-on collision that became a fatal accident almost instantly.

Upon impact, Garrett was thrown from his motorcycle and declared dead at the scene when authorities arrived.  The California Highway Patrol released an initial report stating that Garrett was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, however it was not properly secured around the chin strap area.  No other information has been disclosed as to if this is a driving under the influence (DUI) accident or a reckless driving accident.

This tragic accident just goes to show that even with preventative measures, like wearing a helmet, there are so many factors that can arise during a motorcycle accident that can take the life of someone.  Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Alpine can suggest that you always get the best motorcycle or car insurance policy available, slow down, and watch out for all vehicles on the blacktop, but sometimes these things happen.

What are your thoughts on this accident?  Do you always wear a helmet when you are riding a motorcycle or bicycle?  Do you think that if the chin strap was properly secured, this serious accident would not turn into a fatal one? 

If you or a loved one have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, then we urge you to contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible at 1-800-655-6585 or please click here for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.  We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing until we recover money on your behalf.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.