Wabash National, a major truck trailer manufacturer, faces a $462 million verdict after a Missouri state jury found the company liable in a fatal 2019 accident where a car crashed into the back of a truck, killing two passengers. The verdict includes $450 million in punitive damages and $6 million each in compensatory damages to the victims’ families.
The case centers around the safety of rear-impact guards, designed to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath trailers during collisions. The plaintiffs argued that Wabash used an outdated two-post guard design that had not undergone effective crash testing for nearly 30 years. They claimed that a newer, four-post design could have prevented the fatal accident.
Wabash defended itself, stating that the trailer involved, manufactured in 2004, complied with federal safety regulations at the time. The company maintained that no available safety technology could have changed the outcome of the crash, which occurred at approximately 45 mph. Wabash also criticized the trial, stating that crucial evidence—such as the driver’s intoxication and failure to wear a seatbelt—was not presented to the jury.
This verdict could push for stricter federal regulations on underride guards, as families of crash victims and advocates call for stronger safety standards.
Source:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wabash-national-hit-with-462m-verdict-in-trailer-equipment-case
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