St. Louis, MO — Wabash National Corp. is reassessing its legal avenues following a substantial $462 million verdict from a St. Louis jury related to a catastrophic 2019 traffic accident that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The legal proceedings have centered on the performance of a trailer’s safety equipment manufactured by Wabash.
During the traumatic incident, a Volkswagen CC, operated by 30-year-old Taron Tailor with 23-year-old Nicholas Perkins as a passenger, collided into the back of a Wabash-manufactured trailer. According to John Simon, an attorney with the Simon Law Firm based in St. Louis, the trailer’s rear impact guard failed during the crash. This malfunction allowed the car to slide beneath the trailer, leading to the instantaneous deaths of both Tailor and Perkins.
The jury awarded each of the deceased men’s families $6 million in compensatory damages and added $450 million in punitive damages, highlighting the severity of the case and the accountability of Wabash National in the incident.
Reacting to the verdict, Wabash detailed that at the time of the accident, the vehicle driven by Tailor was speeding and hit the nearly stationary trailer. The company emphasized that the trailer complied with the safety standards of 2004, the year it was manufactured.
Wabash’s response to the jury’s decision was of firm dissent. Kristin Glazner, the company’s General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, stated, “While this was a tragic accident, we respectfully disagree with the jury’s verdict and firmly believe it 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.”
The company also revealed that essential evidence was excluded from the trial, including information about the driver’s blood alcohol level being over the legal limit and the fact that neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Wabash argued that these details were critical and could have influenced the jury’s deliberations. However, state laws in Missouri restrict seat belt usage evidence in civil actions, which shaped the legal discussions during the trial.
Throughout the trial, Wabash made multiple attempts to shift the narrative, including motions for a partial summary judgment and a directed verdict, which were both denied by Missouri Circuit Court Judge Christopher McGraugh. Judge McGraugh also ruled against Wabash’s request to limit certain punitive damages.
The verdict has significant implications not only for Wabash but also for the trailer manufacturing industry, particularly concerning the design and effectiveness of rear impact guards. The case could potentially set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future regarding product liability and safety standards.
As of now, Wabash has not outlined its next steps following the judgment but continues to explore its options in response to one of the most substantial legal determinations it has ever faced.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. Please note that the people, facts, circumstances, and story may contain inaccuracies. Requests for removal, retraction, or correction of any content can be directed to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.