Fort Bend County, TX — November 25, 2025, Augustina Tristan was injured due to a motorcycle versus car accident at approximately 10:00 p.m. along State Highway 6.

According to authorities, 24-year-old Augustina Tristan was traveling on a southeast bound Suzuki motorcycle on S.H. 6 in the vicinity northwest of the Settlers Way Boulevard intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a northeast bound Kia Optima attempted a lane change at an apparently unsafe time. A sideswipe collision consequently occurred between the motorcycle and the front-right quarter of the Kia.

Tristan reportedly sustained 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

Motorcycle crashes involving lane changes are rarely as simple as they seem. When a car sideswipes a motorcycle, it’s often framed as a visibility issue—but that explanation skips over several critical factors. With serious injuries involved, it’s worth asking whether anyone is taking a deeper look at what really led to the collision.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
A proper investigation should do more than note who changed lanes and where the impact occurred. Did officers reconstruct the speeds and spacing between the two vehicles? Was there evidence that either party tried to swerve or brake? At highway speeds, even small timing errors can have big consequences. Without a detailed analysis of vehicle movements and scene evidence, assumptions often stand in for facts.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a car initiates a lane change that leads to a crash, mechanical or electronic issues could be at play. Was there a blind spot monitoring failure? Did a steering or turn signal system malfunction? On the motorcycle side, could brake or suspension issues have prevented a quick reaction? These kinds of failures don’t leave obvious marks—they have to be investigated through detailed vehicle inspections.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles may have recorded key information—speed, steering input, throttle use, and lane-keeping system data. That kind of data can confirm whether the driver of the Kia signaled, hesitated, or attempted to correct course. For the motorcycle, GPS data or rider apps might offer additional insights into speed and lane position. This data can be decisive in sorting out responsibility—but only if someone moves quickly enough to retrieve it.

Injuries from a sideswipe might sound like a minor event—but on a motorcycle, they rarely are. Real answers come from asking more than just who moved when. They come from looking at every factor that shaped the outcome.

Takeaways:

• Lane-change crashes involving motorcycles need full scene and vehicle path reconstruction.
• Vehicle defects—especially blind spot sensors or signal systems—can lead to unsafe lane movements and must be inspected.
• Electronic data can confirm whether drivers signaled, braked, or reacted before the collision.