Fort Worth, TX — December 28, 2024, two people were injured in a single-car accident at approximately 2:00 a.m. along Nine Mile Bridge Road.

According to authorities, two people—a 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman—were traveling in a westbound Chevrolet Avalanche on Nine Mile Bridge Road at the 9 Mile Azle Road intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the Avalanche failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It was consequently involved in a single-vehicle collision in which it apparently struck a tree.

The man reportedly sustained serious injuries due to the wreck and the woman received minor injuries. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identities of the victims—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a single-vehicle crash leaves people seriously injured, the first instinct is often to point to operator error and move on. But after over thirty years handling serious accident cases, I know that's not always the full story. Every incident demands careful scrutiny, guided by three key questions that should be asked in the aftermath of a wreck like this.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? It's not enough to note that a vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Investigators should carefully document tire marks, roadway conditions, vehicle damage, and any possible outside influences, like poor lighting or road hazards. If authorities don't dig deep enough, crucial factors could be overlooked.

Second, has anyone investigated whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? Issues like brake failure, steering malfunctions, or even tire blowouts could cause a driver to lose control without warning. Unless the vehicle is properly inspected after the crash, it's impossible to rule out mechanical problems that might have played a role.

Third, has all available electronic data from the vehicle been collected and preserved? Modern vehicles often have onboard data recorders that store valuable information about speed, steering inputs, brake application, and more in the moments leading up to a crash. If authorities don't retrieve and protect that information, it can be lost forever, making it much harder to determine what really 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.