St. Louis, MO — A St. Louis jury has ordered Wabash National Corporation to pay $462 million in a landmark case over a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two young fathers. The verdict followed a harrowing two-week trial that spotlighted the dangers of underride crashes involving large trucks.
The case centered on Taron Tailor, 30, and Nicholas Perkins, 23, who were killed when the Volkswagen CC Tailor was driving slammed into the rear of a Wabash-manufactured trailer on May 19, 2019. The crash caused the car to slide under the trailer after its rear impact guard failed, instantly killing both men by decapitation.
The tragedy occurred around 2:30 p.m. on a sunny Sunday along Interstate 44/55 near the 7th Street exit, drawing attention to what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration categorizes as a significant yet under-addressed safety threat. Estimates suggest that underride crashes account for 15 to 20 percent of all fatal truck accidents.
Represented by the Simon Law Firm, the families of Tailor and Perkins presented evidence that the rear guards on Wabash trailers were outdated and inadequate. The jury deliberated for just three hours before deciding in favor of the plaintiffs, attaching $450 million in punitive damages and $6 million each in compensatory damages for the Perkins and Tailor families.
During the trial, gripping testimonies highlighted decades of negligence by Wabash National Corporation regarding the safety of their trailers’ rear guards. Plaintiffs argued the company ignored repeated warnings and research advocating for more robust safety measures, which would have potentially prevented the fatal underride.
The jury was moved by not only the heart-wrenching stories of Tailor, who left behind a pregnant wife, and Perkins, who had a 2-year-old daughter, but by the broader implications of their deaths. Expert witnesses referenced similar cases, like the infamous 1967 accident that claimed the life of Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, underscoring a history of inadequate regulatory responses to underride risks.
In an emotional address, attorney Johnny Simon emphasized the human cost of Wabash’s failures. “These children had a right to a father, but because of a decision Wabash made in a boardroom, all of that was taken from them,” Simon said. “They were robbed of a lifetime of love.”
The verdict has sparked discussions on the need for improved federal regulations on truck safety. Although recent updates to rear guard standards were made in 2022, critics, including safety advocates and bereaved families, argue that these measures fail to address critical weaknesses in lateral impact protections.
Activism by families affected by underride crashes has led to some manufacturers updating their safety features voluntarily. However, the mandatory adoption of these so-called toughguards across the industry remains inconsistent.
As deliberations continue on how to enhance road safety and prevent further loss of life, this case may serve as a catalyst for change, drawing corporate and regulatory attention to a longstanding issue. Meanwhile, for the families of Perkins and Tailor, the jury’s decision offers a measure of justice, acknowledging the profound impact of a preventable tragedy fueled by corporate negligence.