Houston, TX — November 1, 2024, a woman was injured in a single-car accident at approximately 1:00 a.m. along Pierce Street.

According to authorities, a 24-year-old woman was traveling in a northwest bound Hyundai Accent on Pierce Street in the vicinity southeast of the Crawford Street intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the vehicle veered to the left, allegedly in an attempted to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of it, causing it to crash into a metal pole. The woman reportedly suffered serious injuries due to the wreck. Additional information pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—is not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When someone is seriously hurt in a single-vehicle crash in the middle of the night, especially one involving evasive action, people often assume it was simply a matter of overcorrecting or misjudging the situation. But experience shows that there’s usually more to the story. If we want to understand how and why a crash like this occurred—and ensure the injured party has access to real answers—there are three important questions that should be asked.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? A 1:00 a.m. crash on an urban street like Pierce may present specific challenges—reduced visibility, fewer witnesses, and the complexity of navigating traffic and intersections in low light. Investigators should assess the spacing and movement of vehicles at the time of the crash, road design, surface conditions, and whether the pole struck was properly placed and marked. It’s also important to determine whether the vehicle in front had braked unexpectedly or if traffic flow was otherwise disrupted. Not every department has the tools or time to delve into those kinds of details, which is why a second look by an independent expert can be so valuable.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role in the crash? If the Hyundai Accent veered left to avoid another vehicle, it’s fair to ask whether it responded properly to the driver’s input. Was the steering functioning as it should have been? Were the brakes effective? Could something in the suspension or tires have made the maneuver more difficult or unpredictable? These questions are especially important in smaller vehicles, where even a minor defect can lead to a serious loss of control. But detecting those issues requires a forensic inspection—and that’s only possible if the vehicle is preserved.

Lastly, has all of the vehicle’s electronic data been collected? Most modern vehicles, including the Accent, are equipped with event data recorders that can reveal speed, throttle input, braking, and steering behavior just before a crash. That data can show whether the driver made a reasonable attempt to avoid a collision, or whether something unexpected occurred. Cell phone usage and nearby surveillance footage may also provide essential context. But like all digital evidence, this information is time-sensitive and must be retrieved before it’s lost.

In a case like this—where someone tried to avoid a collision and still ended up seriously hurt—it’s not enough to assume the outcome was unavoidable. Asking these questions is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by this crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.