The eyes of Ethan Hunter are filled with sorrow. Despite his young age, he’s lived a life that has taken him to the depths of heartbreak and grieving that he wishes upon no one.
A few years ago, Ethan’s eyes glimmered with hope and adventure. He was fearless and proud of his passion for motorcycles. He worked two summer jobs and saved all the money he could to buy his first ride, a day he’ll never forget.
“I was a rebel who felt like I had finally found a place to belong. I’d spend hours on the internet learning as much as I could. It meant everything to me. Before then, I didn’t have an interest I could relate to others with. Although motorcycling is not as common as driving or other forms of transportation, some of the people I have meant through my passion have meant the world to me.”
One of those people is his beloved, late girlfriend Antonia. They met at a gas station. “I didn’t have to think of an opening line. I saw this beautiful girl yelling at someone. Naturally, I had to run over there and see what the fuss was about. The pump wasn’t working and there were a lot of cars in line and one of the drivers wasn’t being nice while waiting after her.”
Ethan and Antonia became two peas in a pod, each riding their own motorcycles at sunset. “She was special. But it was like the universe kept throwing her curveballs, so she’d avoid most people. We loved the roads at that hour. The golden light. The emptiness of the roads when people are already home after driving back from work.”
Unfortunately, one of their sunset rides became fatal. In a traffic jam at the end of a long weekend, Antonia performed what is known as “lane splitting”, where a motorcyclist rides in the same direction as traffic, but between other vehicles in lanes of slow or stopped traffic. Lane splitting is legal in San Diego, California, but “intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal.” Unfortunately, an intoxicated driver, in an act of unprovoked road rage, opened their car door to push Antonia as she was lane splitting, causing a harrowing accident.
“Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcyclist is illegal. Drivers in the far left lane should move to the left of their lane to give motorcyclists ample room to pass.”
— California Highway Patrol
Unfortunately, motorcycling is as risky as it is thrilling. Even law-abiding riders can find themselves victims of personal injury incidents.
Victims and their loved ones deserve to be compensated, and the defendant punished, to the fullest extent of the law. Victims deserve to be zealously represented by attorneys like SD Lawyer who will fight for their rights.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, give Villasenor Law Offices a call today.
Villasenor Law Offices
12396 World Trade Dr Suite 211, San Diego, CA 92128
