New Verdict Puts Wabash National in Jeopardy Over $462M Trailer Safety Equipment Case

Wabash National Responds to $462 Million Verdict in Trailer Crash Case

Wabash National Corporation is reviewing its options after a court in St. Louis handed down a $462 million verdict against the company. The case involved a fatal crash in 2019, where two people died after their car hit the back of a Wabash trailer. The jury decided that the trailer’s rear impact guard was not strong enough to prevent the crash.

Details of the Accident

The crash happened when a car, moving at a high speed, struck the rear of a nearly stopped Wabash trailer. The trailer, built in 2004, was made to meet all safety regulations in place at the time. However, the plaintiffs claimed the safety guard wasn’t up to modern standards. They argued that if the trailer had a newer design, it could have stopped the car from sliding under it, saving the lives of the passengers.

After hearing the case for two weeks, the jury awarded $6 million in damages to the victims’ families. They also added $450 million in punitive damages, meant to punish Wabash for not updating the trailer’s safety equipment.

Wabash National and Reaction to the Verdict

Wabash strongly disagrees with the jury’s decision. Kristin Glazner, Wabash’s General Counsel, said, “we…firmly believe [the verdict] is not supported by the facts or the law. No rear impact guard or trailer safety technology has ever existed that would have made a difference here.”

Wabash pointed out that the driver of the car was over the legal alcohol limit, and neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seatbelt. However, the jury did not hear this evidence during the trial. Wabash believes this information could have affected the jury’s decision.

Concerns for the Trucking Industry

This case has sparked concerns about the safety of trailer equipment, especially rear impact guards. Some experts have argued that the trucking industry has resisted tougher rules for safety guards because of the costs involved. In court, the plaintiffs argued that Wabash used a two-post guard, which had been in use for nearly 30 years, instead of upgrading to a four-post guard, which they claimed would be safer.

The verdict may increase pressure on trailer makers and the trucking industry to improve safety standards. Plaintiff lawyer Brian Winebright hopes the decision will make manufacturers take safety more seriously. CVN notes that he said, “We hope the decision the jurors reached sends a clear message to the trucking and trailer industry and will finally force them to build safer trailers.”

Wabash National Stands Behind Its Products

Even with this verdict, Wabash remains committed to producing high-quality, safe products. The company said that the ruling won’t stop it from making trailers that help keep roads safe. Wabash’s products have always met regulatory standards, and the company plans to continue its focus on safety.

Wabash is still deciding on its next legal steps. The company may choose to appeal the verdict or take other legal actions. However, it is clear that this case could have a lasting impact on both Wabash and the trucking industry as a whole.

Impact on Future Regulations

This court case could lead to changes in safety regulations for trailers. Families of crash victims have long pushed for stronger rules to prevent cars from sliding under trailers in rear-end crashes. Now, with a high-profile verdict like this, regulators may feel more pressure to update safety standards.

Wabash’s stance is that its trailers already meet the rules in place. However, as safety technology advances, there could be more calls for trailers to be fitted with updated safety guards. For now, Wabash is reviewing its options, but the case has already raised questions about safety and cost in the trucking industry.