Driving down the highway at fast speeds can be dangerous. There is some comfort in the fact that there are guardrails lining the roads. Guardrails are put in place to protect us from severe injury in case of an accident. But what happens if a guardrail does not perform properly and may be a defective product?
When struck, Guardrails help to protect drivers from severe injury. They are designed to absorb the impact of a crash which decreases the driver’s risk of injury. Catastrophic injuries and even death can happen when a guardrail fails to protect you from the impact of a car accident.
It has recently come to light that some new guardrails being produced do not function as well as they are supposed to and are causing harm to drivers and to passengers who hit them.
The Texas based Trinity Industries manufactures guardrails. In 2005, Trinity Industries announced a new product called the ET-Plus. The company altered the design of their original guardrail by shrinking a piece of the end terminal (ET) from five inches to four inches in width. This slight modification decreased the ET-Plus’s crashworthiness, and since its introduction, many people involved in crashes with the ET-plus haven been killed or maimed.
The ABC network conducted an investigation which revealed some disturbing facts related to Trinity Industries introduction of the ET-Plus guardrail. According to internal communications within Trinity Industries, the new guardrail would save the company $2 a unit. This would save the company $50,000 per year equaling $250,000 over five years.
The author of the internal email goes on to say, “I’m feeling we could make this change with no announcement.” The Federal Highway Association was not notified of the guardrail’s alteration and Trinity Industries claims the new patent documents inadvertently omitted the new ET-Plus design specifications.
Click here to read Trinity Industries internal email.
Trinity Industries has since provided the Federal Highway Association with safety crash test data. It was determined that the ET-Plus guardrail meets all federal safety standards, and Trinity Industry escaped federal charges.
Presently, there are multiple lawsuits filed against Trinity Industries, including allegations of negligence. Victims have suffered loss of limb, serious injuries, and in some cases, loss of life.
Designers, manufacturers, distributors and re-sellers of defective products and goods must be held accountable for the damage and pain caused to you, a family member, or loved one.
Many people have suffered due to the new ET-Plus guardrail system because it does not work properly, and this is unacceptable. The experienced and dedicated product liability attorneys at Daggett Shuler, Attorneys at Law have represented many who have suffered injuries due to faulty products and have brought many victims the justice and financial compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured by ET-Plus guardrails, or, have suffered due to a car accident or a defective product, you need an experienced attorney to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.
Daggett Shuler Personal Injury Lawyers represent people throughout the state of North Carolina in car accident and product liability cases. Our team is dedicated to representing the rights of the individuals injured by the negligent conduct of others.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of the negligent acts of another, call Daggett Shuler, Personal Injury law firm for a consultation.
At Daggett Shuler, Winston Salem NC injury & disability law firm, you can always speak with an attorney for FREE, and if we take your case, it is on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Call Daggett Shuler at 1-800-815-5500 and speak with an experienced product liability and car accident lawyer for free.
You can depend on us.
Click here to read ABC News report on Trinity Industries new ET-Plus guardrail design.