Woman Severely Injured in Granada Hills Hit-and-Run; LAPD Seeks Driver
A woman in her 70s suffered severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run collision in Granada Hills. Los Angeles police released surveillance video as investigators continued searching for the driver.
The collision occurred on Chatsworth Street near Louise Avenue. According to police, the driver left the scene without stopping to provide assistance.
DAG Law Firm, APC represents pedestrians seriously injured in accidents throughout California, including hit-and-run collisions. We handle qualifying personal injury matters on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront attorney fees and you do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Call (323) 930-2020 to discuss your situation.
What Happened in the Granada Hills Hit-and-Run?
According to CBS Los Angeles, which reported on the investigation September 5, Los Angeles Police Department detectives released surveillance footage while seeking the public’s help identifying the driver involved in the collision.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, near Chatsworth Street and Louise Avenue in Granada Hills.
In its official news release, the Los Angeles Police Department said the pedestrian was crossing Chatsworth Street mid-block from the south curb toward the north curb when she was struck.
Police described the vehicle as a gray Honda Accord traveling eastbound on Chatsworth Street.
According to LAPD, the driver failed to stop, render aid, and remain at the scene.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the pedestrian to a local hospital for treatment. Police described her injuries as severe.
The victim’s name is not included in this article for privacy.
LAPD Valley Traffic Division detectives are continuing to investigate the collision.
Why Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents Can Be Especially Serious
Pedestrians have almost no physical protection when struck by a moving vehicle.
Even a collision at moderate speed can result in severe injuries because a pedestrian may experience an initial impact from the vehicle followed by another impact with the pavement, curb, windshield, or another object.
Potential injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Pelvic and hip injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Lacerations and scarring
- Permanent mobility limitations
A hit-and-run creates an additional challenge because the injured pedestrian may initially have little information about the driver, vehicle owner, or available insurance.
That can make early investigation particularly important.
Why Surveillance Video Matters in a Hit-and-Run Investigation
Surveillance footage has already become an important part of the Granada Hills investigation.
CBS Los Angeles reported that LAPD released video from a nearby residence showing the collision and the vehicle leaving the area.
Video evidence may help investigators determine:
- The make and model of the vehicle
- Vehicle color
- Direction of travel
- The sequence of the collision
- Visible vehicle damage
- Where the vehicle traveled afterward
- Potential license-plate information
- Whether other vehicles or witnesses were nearby
Video may come from homes, businesses, parking areas, traffic systems, buses, doorbell cameras, or other vehicles.
Some surveillance systems automatically overwrite recordings after a limited period. For that reason, identifying and preserving available footage quickly can be especially important after a hit-and-run.
Other useful evidence may include witness statements, photographs, vehicle debris, police records, cellphone video, and physical evidence left at the scene.
What Happens if the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Not Found?
A driver leaving the scene does not necessarily mean an injured pedestrian has no potential options.
One issue that may need to be evaluated is available automobile insurance coverage.
Depending on the facts and terms of a particular policy, uninsured-motorist coverage may sometimes become relevant when the responsible vehicle or driver cannot be identified.
Coverage questions can be complicated and should be evaluated based on the actual insurance policies and circumstances of the collision.
DAG Law Firm provides additional information about hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in California, including evidence and insurance issues that may arise when a driver leaves the scene.
What if Police Identify the Driver?
If investigators identify the vehicle or driver, additional evidence and potential insurance information may become available.
An investigation may examine:
- Who owned the vehicle
- Whether the driver had insurance
- Whether the driver was authorized to use the vehicle
- Whether the driver was working at the time
- Whether the vehicle was connected to a business
- Whether the vehicle has damage consistent with the collision
A business connection does not automatically make a company legally responsible.
If a driver was working when a crash occurred, the relationship between the driver and employer and the purpose of the trip may need to be examined.
Does Crossing Mid-Block Automatically Prevent a Pedestrian Claim?
No.
LAPD reported that the pedestrian was crossing Chatsworth Street mid-block when the collision occurred.
Where a pedestrian was crossing can be relevant when determining how an accident happened, but it does not by itself resolve every question concerning responsibility.
An investigation may also consider:
- Vehicle speed
- Driver attention
- Visibility
- Lighting conditions
- Roadway conditions
- Evasive actions
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- The location of the pedestrian before impact
California personal injury cases can involve comparative fault, meaning responsibility may sometimes be divided based on the conduct of multiple people.
The complete circumstances must be evaluated.
Nothing in the currently available reporting establishes a final allocation of fault for the Granada Hills collision.
What Should Someone Do After a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident?
Medical treatment and immediate safety should come first.
After the emergency, useful steps may include:
- Report the collision to police
- Obtain the police report or incident number
- Seek appropriate medical treatment
- Photograph injuries and the accident location
- Identify witnesses
- Preserve damaged clothing or personal property
- Look for nearby surveillance cameras
- Keep medical records and bills
- Save insurance communications
- Document missed work and other losses
An injured pedestrian or family member should not attempt to locate or confront a suspected hit-and-run driver.
Information about the vehicle should instead be preserved and provided to law enforcement.
How Long Does Someone Have to Bring a California Pedestrian Accident Claim?
California personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the injury, although exceptions may shorten or extend that deadline.
Claims involving a government or public entity may require formal action much earlier—sometimes within six months.
Insurance policies can also contain separate notice, reporting, or coverage requirements.
Even when a formal legal deadline appears distant, evidence can disappear much sooner. Surveillance video may be overwritten, witnesses can become harder to locate, vehicles may be repaired, and roadway conditions can change.
How DAG Law Firm Can Help
A serious hit-and-run pedestrian collision may require investigation beyond the initial police report.
DAG Law Firm can evaluate surveillance footage, witness information, police records, vehicle evidence, insurance policies, medical injuries, lost income, and other accident-related losses.
DAG Law Firm, APC represents pedestrians seriously injured in qualifying accidents throughout California, including hit-and-run collisions.
Learn more about our California pedestrian accident representation and our guide to hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in California.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a vehicle, call (323) 930-2020 to discuss the circumstances.
You do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. DAG Law Firm handles qualifying personal injury matters on a contingency fee basis with no upfront attorney fees.
This article is based on information released by the Los Angeles Police Department and publicly available reporting concerning the Granada Hills hit-and-run investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and reported facts may change as additional information becomes available. Nothing in the available information establishes the final allocation of fault or civil liability. DAG Law Firm, APC does not represent anyone identified in the reports and makes no independent assertion regarding fault or liability. This article is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only.
