Texas has become the latest state to suspend the installation of a controversial highway safety mechanism, the ET-Plus guardrail end terminal. The ET-Plus, manufactured by Trinity Industries, has now been banned by 40 states throughout the country and in some Canadian provinces as well. The guardrail head has been known to malfunction in accidents, sending victims to the hospital with amputated limbs.

The ET-Plus was first tested in 2005 and are used on more than 200 different portions of highways throughout the United States. The end caps are designed to absorb the impact of colliding vehicles. When working properly, the sharp guardrail sides peel backward under the pressure of the guardrail end cap. When malfunctioning, however, the end terminal can act as a spear, piercing the cabins of vehicles and injuring passengers.

A North Carolina man had both legs severed in one such accident. Another man was killed when he was ejected from his vehicle in a crash involving the ET-Plus model of guardrail end terminal. KBTX.com reports that the Dallas-based manufacturer of the guardrail head, Trinity Industries, was found to have defrauded the federal government by failing to report changes in product design nearly ten years ago. These unapproved changes made their way into guardrails installed on roads and highways across the country.

Under much scrutiny, Trinity Industries is conducting a series of crash tests to prove to the government that their product is indeed safe for the road. Though initial tests show the product working as designed, the future of the ET-Plus is still up in the air.

Seriously Injured in an Accident Involving a Guardrail?

Our Guardrail Injury Lawyers are currently investigating serious and fatal guardrail accidents related to this potentially dangerous 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