Guadalupe County, TX — September 10, 2024, Edna Smith was injured in a car accident just after 3:15 p.m. along Juan Seguin Highway.

According to authorities, 62-year-old Edna Smith was traveling in a southbound Honda Accord on Farm to Market 725 at the Juan Seguin Highway westbound service road intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a westbound Nissan van on the service road entered the intersection at an apparently unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign. This resulted in a collision between the right side of the van and the front-end of the Accord.

Smith reportedly sustained serious injuries as a result of the wreck. She was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a serious accident like the one involving Edna Smith happens, it’s important that a thorough investigation is conducted to understand all the factors that led to it. After over 30 years handling serious injury and fatal accident cases, I can tell you that the full truth rarely comes to light unless the right questions are asked and answered through a diligent review of the evidence.

One of the first things to consider is whether the authorities thoroughly investigated the crash. In an incident where a driver is alleged to have failed to yield at a stop sign, it’s crucial for investigators to document physical evidence such as skid marks, vehicle rest positions, and the functioning of traffic control devices. Gathering witness statements and checking nearby surveillance footage can also provide critical insights. Without a careful investigation, key facts might be missed, making it harder for those affected to understand exactly what occurred.

Another important question is whether a vehicle defect might have played a role in the collision. For example, if either vehicle experienced a brake failure, steering issue, or another mechanical problem, it could explain why a driver failed to stop as required. Unless the vehicles are properly inspected after the accident, the possibility of mechanical failure might be overlooked, leaving victims without a full picture of what caused the wreck.

Finally, it’s vital to determine whether all available electronic data has been collected. Modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders that can capture important pre-crash information like speed, braking, and steering input. Without this objective data, investigators must rely heavily on statements and assumptions, which can leave critical gaps in understanding how and why the crash happened.

Answering these three questions is critical to making sure that no stone is left unturned in understanding the causes of a crash like this. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Getting clear answers to these questions is crucial for those seeking to understand what happened and why—and it's the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.