Product Defects Trinity Industries ET-Plus Guardrail Head

Trinity Industries of Dallas, Texas has been manufacturing and distributing guardrails for use along state and federal highways for quite some time. However, an ever-growing number of states that have purchased and installed the Trinity Industries’ ET-Plus guardrail heads have complained about the dangerous and sometimes deadly defect. Recently, Trinity Industries was found by a federal jury to have been involved in defrauding the Federal Highway Administration by secretly making changes to its design. The Federal Highway Administration has now demanded that the company perform additional crash safety tests to prove that the guardrail is safe.

As recently as October 10, 2014, the Commonwealth of Virginia said that it planned to remove the company’s products after it failed to meet the state deadline to provide proof that the new crash testing was complete and that the redesign of the guardrail was corrected.

In addition to Virginia, thirteen other states have banned additional purchases of the Trinity guardrails.

The guardrails are called rail heads and are found at the end of the guardrail that motorists see along state and federal highways. The dangerous defect that is present in the Trinity guardrail is that when impacted, the guardrails have been known to pierce vehicles.

Illinois is not one of the states that have to now banned the use of the ET-Plus Trinity rail head.

As a matter of fact, there have been hundreds of vehicle crashes involving Trinity ET-Plus guardrails that have resulted in more than 20 deaths around the United States. The deaths have been linked to the defective design of these guardrails. In one case in North Carolina involving an ET-Plus Trinity guardrail, the driver was seriously injured when the guardrail cut through the floor board of the vehicle’s car severing the driver’s legs.

In other reported cases, pieces of the Trinity ET-Plus guardrail have pierced and penetrated the doors and flooring of motor vehicles severely injuring or killing drivers and passengers. Those that have been critical of the design of the end terminal of the ET-Plus guardrail is that the piece no longer performs as it was designed and instead of being flattened, the guardrail may lock up and bend resulting in a piece of the rail penetrating the vehicle like a spear.

The purpose of guardrails is to absorb the impact for motor vehicles along streets, roads and highways. As reported, many states are withdrawing orders and others are reviewing the safety of the end terminal models of the Trinity ET-Plus guardrail.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed by a Trinity ET-Plus guardrail, please call us for an immediate free consultation.

Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling product defect injury cases. Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding communities and has successfully resolved cases for those injured in product defect cases.

With our 40 years of experience in trying and settling product defect cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
“We were devastated when our 31 year-old son was killed by a negligent driver. Kreisman Law Offices did everything to help us through this very difficult time, including coming out to the house several times which was a comfort. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Mr. Kreisman’s compassion and care for this very tragic and troubling time.” C.B.
★★★★★
“Bob Kreisman did everything possible in handling the trial of this case. It was devastating that I traumatically lost my leg above the knee in this truck accident. However, it was not an easy case to win. His staff was so prepared for the trial that it was not surprising that the settlement offers continued to rise until we finally accepted the multi-million settlement while the jury was still deciding the case. My wife and I were delighted that we could secure our future with this settlement. We thank Mr. Kreisman and his incredible staff for working so hard for our benefit.” T.P.
★★★★★
“My mother died because doctors dropped the ball. I called Robert Kreisman and he immediately set up an appointment for my entire family. We met at his offices and I was very comfortable that he would do the best for my dad and my brothers. He spent hours with all of us in preparing for depositions and he hired top notch experts, all of which contributed to an incredible settlement before trial. I know that he is dedicated to his cases and particularly to the people he works for and the people who work with him. He continues to be generous in contributing annually to my mother’s memory and to make known to the public the signs and symptoms of brain tumors.” V.S.
★★★★★
“My dad was ignored and mistreated at the nursing home that we placed him in. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we made a big mistake, particularly after my dad developed these terrible bedsores. We transferred him as we were contacting Mr. Kreisman. He was referred to us by a lawyer we have known for a long time and respect his opinion. Mr. Kreisman and his staff worked tirelessly to resolve this case. We were fortunate to have his services and will recommend him to anyone.” T.J.
Submit a Law Firm Client Review