Hidalgo County, TX — September 13, 2024, a man was injured in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident at approximately 11:00 p.m. along Tres Lagos Boulevard.

According to authorities, a 26-year-old man was traveling on a westbound Yamaha motorcycle on Tres Lagos Boulevard in the vicinity east of the Chalk Ridge Drive intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the motorcycle failed to safely maintain control. It was consequently involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it overturned. The man reportedly sustained serious injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a single-vehicle motorcycle crash occurs late at night and results in serious injuries, like this incident in Hidalgo County, people often default to the assumption that the rider must have simply lost control. But after handling many similar cases, I can say with confidence that the explanation is often more complex. To truly understand what happened—and to give the injured person and their family the answers they deserve—we have to ask three critical questions that every serious crash investigation should include.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A motorcycle going down without another vehicle involved doesn’t mean the roadway was clear of hazards. Was there loose gravel, a slick surface, poor lighting, or a sudden change in the roadway design? Did the rider have to avoid an unexpected obstruction? These are the kinds of questions that should be addressed through a careful examination of the crash site, supported by photographs, measurements, and any available video footage. In less urban areas like parts of Hidalgo County, the depth of crash investigations can vary widely depending on the resources available to the responding agency.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect might have contributed to the crash? Motorcycles are mechanically sensitive machines, and a failure in something like the brakes, steering mechanism, or suspension can cause an abrupt loss of control—especially during cornering or braking. In some cases, tires can fail due to manufacturing defects or improper maintenance, both of which can be missed at a glance. Determining whether a mechanical issue played a role requires a detailed forensic inspection of the bike, and that opportunity is lost if the motorcycle is quickly repaired, disposed of, or left unpreserved.

Lastly, has all available electronic data been collected? While motorcycles don’t typically have the same event data recorders found in passenger vehicles, some newer models and aftermarket systems may include GPS trackers or app-connected logging systems that record speed, throttle input, or braking. Investigators should also consider whether the rider had a cell phone with GPS or fitness tracking data that could help reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Additionally, nearby traffic cameras or surveillance systems might offer footage that fills in key gaps in the timeline.

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.