Highlands, TX — September 26, 2024, one person was injured in a car accident at about 9:35 p.m. on Barbers Hill Road.
A preliminary accident report indicates a 2011 Ford Escape was driving west near Braemer Street when it veered off the road for an unknown reason and hit two mailboxes before coming to rest in a culvert.
The driver, a 55-year-old Port Jackson man whose name has not been made public, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harris County crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Whenever I read about a single-vehicle crash like the one that happened in Highland, where a driver was seriously injured after veering off Barbers Hill Road and crashing into a culvert, I’m reminded how quick people are to assume the cause must be driver error. But in my experience, many of these incidents are far more complicated than they first appear. That’s why there are three questions that always need to be answered in the aftermath of a crash like this: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Starting with the first question, it’s not clear from initial reports what level of investigation was conducted at the scene. In single-vehicle crashes, particularly those occurring at night, it’s critical for investigators to document roadway conditions, evaluate lighting, check for wildlife activity or debris and consider whether the driver might have taken evasive action for reasons not immediately apparent. Unfortunately, the quality and depth of these investigations can vary widely depending on the department’s resources and priorities. Unless someone takes the time to conduct a full accident reconstruction and interviews any potential witnesses, we may never fully understand why the vehicle left the roadway.
That brings us to the second point: whether a vehicle defect could have contributed to the crash. A 2011 Ford Escape is old enough that wear and tear on key systems — steering, brakes, suspension — could be a factor. If something malfunctioned unexpectedly, that might explain why the vehicle veered off the road without any apparent reason. These kinds of failures aren’t always obvious from a visual inspection and usually require a detailed forensic analysis. The problem is that kind of inspection rarely happens unless someone knows to ask for it. And once a damaged vehicle is repaired or scrapped, that opportunity may be lost for good.
Lastly, we have to ask whether the electronic data from the vehicle has been preserved. Vehicles like the Escape are often equipped with an engine control module, which can hold key information about how the vehicle was operating in the moments before the crash: things like speed, throttle position and whether the driver was braking or steering. This data can be the difference between speculation and fact. In addition, phone records or surveillance footage from homes or businesses near Braemer Street could offer further clues. Unfortunately, unless someone acts quickly to preserve this data, it’s all too easy for it to disappear or be overwritten.
In the wake of a serious crash like this, the most important thing we can do is make sure every reasonable effort is made to uncover the full story. That starts by asking the right questions and making sure we don’t leave critical evidence on the table. For those impacted by a crash, it’s not just about understanding what went wrong: it’s about ensuring they have access to the truth.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us