A 33-year-old woman identified as Donna Griffith, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after the car in which she was an occupant crashed into a power pole in Hawthorne. The Associated Press reports that Griffith died at the scene of the car accident the morning of April 5, 2010 in the 4900 block of 147th Street. The driver apparently lost control of the car and crashed into the pole. One other person was transported to a hospital from the scene with minor injuries. However, it is not clear who was driving at the time of the collision.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Donna Griffith for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

There were two fatalities and 38 injuries involving car accidents in Hawthorne, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 deaths and 52,229 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear who or what caused this accident. We do not know if this was caused by a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle. Some news reports indicate that the roadway was wet at the time. So the weather conditions may have played a part. Driver impairment, speed or fatigue may have also caused this accident. It is also not clear whether this accident was the result of a dangerous roadway condition. I trust the official accident investigation will help shed more light on what occurred here and why.

If this crash was caused by an auto product defect, the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product could be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If this accident was caused by a dangerous or defective roadway, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining this roadway could be held liable as well. Any such claim against a public entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. Injured victims would be well advised to consult a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will be able examine all aspects of the incident and determine whether there was negligence or wrongdoing involved.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.