Burleson County, TX — December 16, 2024, a Houston man was injured following a car accident that happened around 4:00 p.m. on Highway 36.

Authorities said in preliminary statements that the accident happened near the intersection of Highway 36 and F.M. 409, southeast of Caldwell.

According to officials, a 32-year-old Houston man was in a Toyota Highlander going southeast along the highway. For reasons unclear, details say that the Toyota left its lane. It then crashed and overturned. As a result of the accident, the Houston man sustained serious injuries.

There did not appear to be anyone else involved in the accident. Additional details regarding the cause of the crash are unconfirmed.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Single-vehicle wrecks aren't simple or straight-forward just because only one vehicle is involved. In fact, I get countless calls from victims and families affected by accidents like this. Authorities don't always see them as a high priority, so they sometimes slip through the cracks. It can be important, then, to consider some key questions about how an investigation is being handled.

The first question is whether authorities had the time and tools to fully investigate the crash. A vehicle leaving its lane and overturning could involve several contributing factors, such as road hazards, poor signage, or environmental conditions like wet pavement or low visibility. Did investigators document the scene in detail, looking for tire marks, debris, or signs of an evasive maneuver? Without a detailed reconstruction of the events, crucial evidence might be missed.

The second question is whether the vehicle itself might have played a role. Mechanical failures—such as brake, tire, or steering issues—can cause a driver to lose control. Moreover, safety equipment like seatbelts or airbags might fail to work properly, increasing the severity of injuries. A forensic inspection of the victim's vehicle is essential to determine whether any defects contributed to the crash or its outcome.

Finally, it’s critical to consider whether electronic evidence has been preserved. Vehicles are equipped with Engine Control Modules (ECMs) that record important data, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs leading up to the crash. Additional evidence, like cellphone records, GPS data, or surveillance footage from nearby areas, could help provide a clearer picture of what happened. Acting quickly to secure this evidence is vital, as it can degrade or be lost over time.

Ultimately, authorities could show they were thorough and considered these things in their investigations. Or, they could show that they were more focused on looking for someone to blame than actually getting clear evidence. If folks feel a crash is being mishandled, it's important to consider how a second set of eyes could help keep the facts straight. Right now, I see no reason why this crash would be an exception.