Guardrails that line the highway may be one of your first defenses in a car accident. But what if these supposedly lifesaving devices weren’t as safe as we previously believed? Unfortunately, the risks of defective guardrails seem to be a reality here in Virginia. Luckily, a solution is on the way.
The Hampton Roads car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that concerns began to arise when a link between the length of guardrail end caps and the devastating results of impacts with the devices was discovered. Research shows the guardrail caps were shortened after undergoing federal testing and approval, which undermined their ability to function properly.
With these discoveries coming to light, the state began removing each of the defective guardrails. According to an article from the Press Telegraph, officials say the faulty units are to be replaced with newer and safer units.
Virginia also filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the faulty rails, claiming negligence in failing to disclose the changes in the product’s design.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we are aware of the important role safety equipment plays in keeping our highways safe. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers would like to applaud Virginia for taking steps to help ensure motorists are protected in the event of a crash.
