The problem here is that you have worked backwards to justify a pre-determined outcome.
Not at all. He mentioned the lack of a helmet and other issues at the outset, and said, "These points are all valid and certainly can and should be discussed."
He then went on to highlight one issue -- the cause of the accident -- in detail. That shouldn't be a "problem." He didn't diminish the other factors at all, and affirmed elsewhere on the thread that he always wears a full-face helmet.
Good on you for emphasizing helmets, though; they're important, too. Roethlisberger's probably would have made a big difference. Mine neither helped nor hurt in my accident, and was stolen at the scene even before I was put in the ambulance. I don't ride without one.
Yeah, the lack of a helmet should be discussed. But even if he had been wearing a helmet and proper riding gear, the twit would STILL have turned left in front of him, and there would still be an accident.
The difference is the rider may not have had to pay so high a price for the cagers stupidity/blindness.
I am opposed to mandatory helmet laws, but i will be darned if i will ride without a good helmet (currently an Arai RX7 Corsair) and the right gear.
Take the cagers license away for oh...five years for a first offense, and permanantly on the second.