Douglas Kmiec, 58, the U.S. Ambassador to Malta and law professor at Pepperdine University was seriously injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which also killed 74-year-old nun, Sister Mary Campbell. Monsignor John Sheridan, 94, also sustained major injuries in this August 26, 2010 crash near Calabasas, the Los Angeles Times reports. Officials say Kmiec was driving a 2009 Hyundai when the vehicle drifted on to a dirt shoulder and struck a drainage ditch on Mulholland Highway near Stokes Canyon Road. Kmiec and Sheridan suffered major injuries, while Sister Campbell, a nun from the local parish, who was in the back seat, died from her injuries. It is not clear why Kmiec's vehicle drifted off the road.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Sister Mary Campbell for their devastating loss. I also wish the injured Ambassador Kmiec and Monsignor Sheridan the very best for a quick and complete recovery for their serious injuries. This tragic crash has a personal relevance for the firm of BISNAR | CHASE as both, my partner, Brian Chase and I graduated from the law school of Pepperdine University. Please keep these victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 83 injuries reported involving car accidents in Calabasas. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Accident Causes

Based on this news report, it is not clear why Kmiec's Hyundai drifted off the roadway. There are several unanswered questions here. Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle, which may have caused or contributed to the crash? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was it due to driver error? Did fatigue play a part in the crash? Were there any other vehicles involved? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine who or what may have caused this tragic crash.

Protecting Victims' Rights

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experiencedLos Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation, analyze all aspects of the accident and ensure that the victims' legal rights and best interests are protected. It would also be a good idea to preserve the car in its current state, intact, so it can be carefully examined by an expert for design defects, malfunctions, product defects and other evidence.

Have you been involved in car accident that was caused by an auto product defect?

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.