Gregg County, TX — November 2, 2024, a woman was injured in a car accident shortly after 9:45 p.m. along Interstate Highway 20.

According to authorities, a 20-year-old woman from Sherwood, Arkansas, was traveling in a westbound Nissan Titan pickup truck on I.H. 20 in the vicinity east of F.M. 2207 when the accident took place.

Weather and road conditions in the area at the time were apparently wet and rainy. Officials indicate that, for reasons yet to be confirmed, the Titan began to hydroplane as it attempted to pass a Chevrolet Malibu. It consequently lost control and a collision followed between the front-left of the Malibu and the front-right of the Titan. Following the initial impact, both vehicles went off of the right side of the road where the pickup apparently struck a road sign and overturned, rolling an unknown number of times before coming to a stop resting on its wheels.

The woman from the Titan reportedly suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident and was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. It does not appear that anyone from the Malibu was harmed. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes that happen during wet weather often lead to a familiar explanation—hydroplaning. And while that may seem like an open-and-shut case, I’ve found that hydroplaning is rarely a sufficient answer on its own. When a serious crash leaves someone injured, particularly when a vehicle overturns after impact, it’s important to ask the right questions. In cases like this one, there are three questions that should be asked to better understand what really happened.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? A crash on a rainy night along Interstate 20 presents real challenges—poor visibility, limited traction, and fast-changing road conditions. But determining how and why a vehicle hydroplaned requires more than noting wet pavement. Investigators should assess roadway drainage, tire condition, vehicle speed, and whether passing another vehicle played a role in the loss of control. Unfortunately, many departments don’t have the time, training, or resources to conduct that level of analysis. That’s why an independent investigation may be necessary to fully evaluate the crash dynamics.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? When a pickup truck like a Nissan Titan begins to hydroplane and overturns, it’s worth asking whether the tires were appropriate for the conditions, if the traction control system worked properly, or if any steering or suspension components failed. Even minor mechanical issues can make hydroplaning far more likely and reduce a driver’s ability to recover once control is lost. These questions require a forensic inspection of the vehicle—something that can only happen if the vehicle is preserved in its post-crash condition.

Lastly, has all electronic data from both vehicles been collected? Most modern vehicles, including both the Titan and the Chevrolet Malibu, have event data recorders that can log critical information—speed, throttle input, steering angle, and braking in the moments leading up to and during the crash. This data can help clarify how quickly events unfolded and whether the driver attempted to correct or respond appropriately. Additionally, nearby surveillance footage or cell phone data might help provide a fuller picture. But like physical evidence, electronic data is easily lost if not secured early in the process.

In a case like this, where the conditions were difficult and the outcome severe, it’s important not to stop at the first plausible explanation. 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.