Virginia Developing Plan to Remove Guardrails

The Virginia Department of Transportation is following suit with several other states in looking to remove Trinity’s ET-Plus guardrails. Virginia and more than thirty other states have begun taking action to remove or ban the guardrails amidst concerns that the rails have caused fatal injuries in several car accidents. Notably, the Federal Highway Administration has called for the ET-Plus guardrails to be re-tested.

The trouble from the ET-Plus guardrail seems to stem from changes made in 2005. The changes made by Trinity appear to provide some cost savings, but could potentially turn the guardrails into deadly projectiles when collided with. Such was the experience of a Virginia man in 2009, when a guardrail came through his driver’s side wheel well, through his engine block and into the driver’s seat.

It’s still unknown whether or not the guardrail involved in his accident was an ET-Plus, though the Trinity logo is displayed on the site where the accident occurred. The problem is that VDOT did not approve the changes that Trinity made to its guardrail, and so have no idea where the guardrails are in Virginia. They do know that 11,000 guardrails have been installed since Trinity made its changes. VDOT is currently developing a strategy for removing remaining ET-Plus guardrails.

Do You Need A Guardrail Accident Lawyer?

The accident victim told 10 On Your Side that he had known that the rail he collided with was potentially effective until he heard about it in the news in 2013. There is much confusion surrounding cases involving these guardrails, but our attorneys have been working on this issue. If you believe you have been injured as a result of one of Trinity’s guardrails, we have the experience to help you determine your options. You do not have to face your situation alone. Contact Richard J. Serpe, PC Today.

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