Collin County, TX — January 19, 2025, Steven Brent was injured following a single-vehicle car accident just after 2:45 a.m. along the Dallas North Tollway.

According to authorities, 43-year-old Steven Brent was traveling in a northbound Lexus ES300 on the Dallas North Tollway near Cotton Gin Road when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Lexus failed to safely maintain its lane of travel and apparently took faulty evasive action. It was subsequently involve in a single-vehicle collision in which it crashed into a concrete traffic barrier.

Brent suffered reportedly serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like the one that left Steven Brent seriously injured, I know that many people will assume it was simply a case of driver error. While that’s certainly a possibility, my experience has shown me that single-vehicle crashes—especially those involving sudden evasive maneuvers—are often more complex than they first appear. Instead of making assumptions, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure that all possible contributing factors are explored. To that end, there are three critical questions that need to be considered.

First, did the authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When a vehicle leaves its lane and collides with a fixed object, investigators should consider whether external factors played a role. Did law enforcement collect statements from any available witnesses? Did they examine physical evidence such as skid marks, debris, or roadway conditions that might have contributed to the crash? Were there signs that another vehicle’s actions forced the driver to take evasive action? The quality of the investigation will determine whether all possible explanations are explored or if key details are overlooked.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? A sudden loss of control or faulty evasive maneuver can sometimes be the result of a mechanical failure rather than driver error. Issues with steering, braking, or electronic stability control could prevent a driver from safely maneuvering the vehicle. Additionally, if safety features such as airbags or seat belts didn’t function properly, that could impact the severity of the outcome. Unfortunately, vehicle defects are rarely investigated unless someone specifically requests a forensic examination. If the vehicle is quickly repaired or scrapped, any evidence of a defect may be lost before it can be analyzed.

Lastly, have investigators gathered all available electronic data? Most modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs), which capture crucial details such as speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments leading up to a crash. This data could help clarify whether the driver attempted to correct the vehicle’s path or if the vehicle responded unpredictably. Additionally, if any nearby businesses or traffic cameras recorded the crash, that footage could provide valuable context. If this evidence isn’t secured quickly, it may become unavailable, making it harder to determine the full circumstances of the accident.

At the end of the day, answering these questions could be essential to understanding what really happened and why. A thorough examination of all three of these issues—including the quality of police investigations, possible vehicle defects, and electronic data—is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by the crash receive the answers they deserve.