Following a string of disturbing incidents around the country, a Tennessee man is lucky to be alive after a nearly fatal car accident. A diabetic emergency caused the man to lose control of his pickup truck on the highway and slam into a defective guardrail.

Highway guardrails, specifically the endcaps, are designed to crumple and evenly distribute the impact of a crashing vehicle throughout their structure. When the man’s pickup struck the guardrail, it malfunctioned and instead impaled the truck through the passenger side and exited out of the back of the cab. Had the driver hit the guardrail at a different angle, things could have gone very differently.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed that the guardrail involved in the accident is an ET-Plus model, manufactured by Dallas-based Trinity Highway Products. This particular model is currently under investigation by the Federal Highway Administration, who demanded more testing on the models before they regain approval.

A recent study by ABC News gave unsettling results: deadly guardrail crashes are four times more likely to involve the ET-Plus product.

WTVC Chattanooga reports that the guardrails are now banned from installation in eighteen states, citing reports of their malfunction. Tennessee is included in those states, but TDOT have not yet stated plans to remove existing ET-Plus guardrails from their highways. A spokesperson said that each crash is unique, and further investigation of the ET-Plus model is needed before removal plans are made.  TDOT stated that public safety is a priority, and reviews of the guardrails are currently underway in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

Seriously Injured in an Accident Involving a Guardrail?

Our Guardrail Injury Lawyers are currently investigating serious and fatal guardrail accidents related to this untested guardrail design. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a guardrail, contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options. We offer a free, no obligation, case evaluation – Get Help Now 877-544-5323