Guardrails are common fixtures along highways and freeways. A guardrail serves as a safety barrier for motorists who veer off the road. Sometimes trees, utility poles, and steep slopes line the side of a highway. In these cases, the guardrails buffer motorists from the present dangers that wait on the other side. Guardrails should lessen the severity of a crash, but the Lindsay Transportation Systems’ X-LITE guardrail end terminals may cause fatal injuries for motorists.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals harmed by Lindsay Transportation Systems’ X-LITE guardrail end terminals.
Lindsay Transportation Solutions manufactures road safety equipment designed to provide protection. On its website, the company claims its products mitigate the number and severity of motor vehicle accidents. In its quest for transportation security, the company created the X-LITE guardrail end terminals. This device attaches to the end of guardrails and consists of multiple metal components. These metal parts should slide into one another upon impact to take the brunt of and absorb the crash.
Since 2016, seven people have reportedly died due to X-LITE guardrail end terminals. Upon impact, the guardrail ends have fatally impaled drivers and passengers. Rather than “telescope” as intended, the guardrail ends have allegedly pierced through the vehicle and speared innocent occupants. Some of these deaths occurred mere months apart and tragically involved adolescents and young adults.
Following the alarming and horrendous deaths, many states removed the X-LITE guardrail end terminals from their lists of approved equipment. This removal meant these states would no longer install the guardrail ends but leave the existing ones in place. Yet, in 2017, Tennessee pledged to spend nearly $3.6 million to remove the X-LITE guardrail end terminals. The state will replace the fatal guardrail ends with safer models. Additionally, thirteen states intend to remove the guardrails, although this process could take years.
Lawsuits allege that Lindsay Transportation Systems knew or should have known about the hazardous risks associated with its device. Furthermore, the company owns the lab that tested and earned approval for the guardrail ends. Claimants allege that this conflict of interest circumnavigated proper and independent safety examinations. Also, the Tennessee Department of Transportation accused Lindsay Transportation Systems of providing “unclear” installation instructions. The company’s lack of understandable instructions may have caused states to install the guardrail ends improperly. However, even when the guardrail ends functioned properly, the devices still impaled vehicle occupants.
If you or a loved one were injured or killed by an X-LITE guardrail end, you may qualify for a lawsuit against Lindsay Transportation Systems. An X-LITE guardrail end lawyer can help you recover compensation for:
Lindsay Transportation Systems allegedly violated its oath to create safer transportation conditions. Possible design defects and claims of inadequate testing needlessly cost people their lives. Rather than mitigate the severity of accidents, the X-LITE guardrail end terminals potentially heighten the risk of severe injury or death.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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