Jackson County, MO — September 9, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 7:01 A.M. on US 50.

According to reports, a Buick LeSabre operated by a 34-year-old woman was traveling westbound on US-50 near Herring Road when it left the road for unknown reasons and struck a tree.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found the Buick driver seriously injured and transported her to the hospital where her current condition is unknown. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and officials have not released any updates on the investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves just one vehicle, it’s easy to assume the driver simply lost control—but real answers often require a more careful look. Vehicles don’t typically veer off the road without cause, and pinpointing that cause is what makes the difference between a real investigation and just filing a report.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
It's unclear whether investigators went beyond documenting the basic facts. In single-vehicle crashes, it's especially important to examine the driver’s condition before the crash, check for signs of evasive action, and analyze how the vehicle left the roadway. Did the car drift gradually or swerve sharply? Was the path consistent with a mechanical failure or something else? Without a detailed reconstruction or review of the driver’s pre-crash behavior, critical questions might go unanswered.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
When a vehicle leaves the road for “unknown reasons,” one possibility is that something in the vehicle failed—like the steering system, brakes, or even a tire. If the car hasn’t been thoroughly inspected by a qualified expert, then no one can confidently say the vehicle wasn’t part of the problem. These checks are often skipped unless someone pushes for them.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Today’s vehicles can tell a story, but only if someone retrieves the data. The car’s onboard computer might hold clues about the speed, steering angle, and braking in the seconds before impact. And if the driver had a phone connected to the car or on their person, location data or activity logs could add important context. If no one’s pulled that information yet, the investigation may still be missing essential pieces.

A thorough investigation isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about making sure all the facts are on the table. Without that level of effort, the real reasons behind a crash can get buried under guesswork.

Takeaways:

• One-car crashes still deserve full-scale investigations, not just assumptions.
• Mechanical issues like brake or steering failure need to be ruled out with real inspections.
• Vehicle data could hold answers—if someone bothers to collect it.