According to a New York Times report, the Federal Highway Administration claims that Trinity Industries defrauded the United States by failing to disclose changes made to a controversial guardrail system that has been implicated in multiple deaths. The agency has also established strict standards for highway guardrails, closing a loophole that enabled guardrail manufacturers to revise older devices without extra crash tests.
If you have been injured in an accident involving Trinity guardrails, contact Attorney Group today. When an injury is due to another’s negligence, the injured person may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. We offer free consultations to answer your questions and can connect you with an affiliated Trinity guardrail lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process. The time to pursue a claim is limited, so contact us today.
Modifications to Existing Roadside Devices Must be Crash Tested
According to the New York Times article, Trinity Industries was found liable for defrauding the federal government by neglecting to reveal guardrail modifications. It has been alleged that those revisions make them more likely cause the metal rail to spear a vehicle when hit head-on.
From The New York Times:
If a manufacturer makes a modification to an existing roadside device, it must be crash-tested in accordance with the strictest safety measures, even if it has already been deemed safe in the past under older guidelines.
Further:
In the whistle-blower case against Trinity, it was accused of making changes to a guardrail unit called the ET-Plus and not disclosing them, even though it was required to do so.
A criminal investigation of Trinity by the Justice Department is underway, with more than 10 years worth of detailed records of its products being subpoenaed.
Those Injured May be Entitled to Compensation
Guardrails must pass Federal Highway Administration crash tests. When this does not occur, accidents can result in injury and loss of life. Those who are injured by a Trinity guardrail may be entitled to compensation, including:
- Long-term care needs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income or earning capacity
- Past and future medical expenses
The families of persons killed in an accident involving a Trinity guardrail may be able to pursue compensation for their loved one’s wrongful death, including:
- Funeral expenses and loss of financial support
- Conscious pain and suffering of the loved one prior to death
- Loss of the relationship with the loved one
- Medical expense attributable to the fatal injury
The Time to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
If you were injured, or a loved was killed in an accident involving Trinity guardrails, contact Attorney Group today. Our free consultations are confidential and without obligation. We can connect you with an affiliated Trinity guardrail attorney who can assist you through the entire legal process. State laws limit the time you have to pursue a claim, so contact us today.
