Lubbock, TX — January 20, 2026, Belian Gaal was injured in a car accident at about 4:15 p.m. in the 2100 block of State Highway Loop 289 frontage road.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2020 Mazda CX-3 was heading west when it crashed into a highway sign near Avenue W and a 2010 Toyota Highlander that was at the intersection.

Mazda driver Belian Gaal, 35, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

The driver of the Toyota, a 79-year-old man, was listed as possibly injured, the report states.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lubbock County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After serious crashes, the first reports often feel thin. A few facts surface quickly, but the deeper questions about how and why things unfolded usually take more time, and sometimes never get asked unless someone presses for them.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A basic crash report can tell where vehicles ended up, but it doesn’t always explain how they got there. A meaningful investigation looks at vehicle paths, speed changes, steering inputs and what each driver was doing in the moments before impact. That can include measuring the scene, mapping damage patterns and taking the time to sort out the sequence of events. Not every officer has the same level of training in complex crash analysis, and not every scene gets the same level of attention. When serious injuries are involved, it matters whether investigators went beyond a quick walkthrough or treated it as a crash worth deeper reconstruction.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a vehicle leaves its intended path or fails to stop as expected, mechanical issues should be on the table. Brake problems, steering failures, throttle issues or warning system malfunctions aren’t always obvious at the scene. Modern vehicles can appear intact while still having a critical system failure. Without a proper inspection, a defect that played a role can be missed entirely, shifting focus away from a factor that deserves attention.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Today’s vehicles quietly record a lot. Speed, braking, throttle position and seatbelt use may all be stored in onboard systems. Phones can show whether a driver was active just before impact. Nearby cameras or vehicle location data can help confirm timing and movement. This information can either support the initial story or challenge it, but only if it’s preserved and reviewed early.

When answers come too quickly, important details can get left behind. Careful questions help make sure conclusions are based on facts, not assumptions, and that responsibility is assessed with the full picture in view.

Key takeaways:

• Serious crashes deserve more than a surface-level review.
• Mechanical problems aren’t always visible without inspection.
• Electronic data can clarify what really happened before impact.