Chicago Guardrail Accident Lawyer

Compensation for Victims of Accidents Involving Guardrails in Chicago

Chicago guardrail accident lawyer representation may be critical when a safety barrier meant to protect ends up causing harm instead.

Guardrails are designed to protect motorists by reducing the impact of collisions, especially in high-risk areas like embankments or highway curves. When properly installed and maintained, they can prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and significantly reduce the severity of a crash.

In fact, data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that guardrails installed above embankments lower the risk of significant damage and fatal injuries.

However, when these barriers are defective, outdated, or improperly installed, they can fail to perform and, in some cases, cause more harm than they prevent. If you or a loved one suffered injuries after a car accident involving a guardrail, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

An experienced lawyer can help you pursue compensation and hold all potentially liable parties accountable.

Should You Hire a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer?

When defective guardrails, negligent drivers, or improperly maintained roadways contribute to a motor vehicle accident, victims need more than general legal help. A guardrail accident lawyer understands the product liability, road maintenance, and personal injury aspects of these types of cases.

One high-profile example includes the tragic crash on a San Diego highway in 2024, where a guardrail pierced a vehicle and caused a fatality, highlighting the catastrophic consequences when safety systems fail.

A crash involving a guardrail may seem like a single-vehicle event, but many of these accidents involve multiple factors and parties. A Chicago car accident lawyer can investigate the accident, determine who is at fault, and pursue fair compensation for physical trauma, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Verdicts and Settlements from Our Guardrail Accident Cases in Chicago

Our personal injury law firm has successfully recovered compensation for injury victims across Illinois, including several cases involving guardrails:

• $3,444,000 settlement after a highway trucking accident where a family was struck by a merging vehicle and pushed into a damaged guardrail that failed to deflect properly.
  
• $2,000,000 policy limit settlement for a rollover collision involving impact with a guardrail that did not meet modern safety standards.
  
• $18,500,000 settlement after a head-on semi-truck crash involving a failed guardrail that contributed to the severity of the impact.
  

Guardrail accident cases can be complicated, but our law offices are well-equipped to handle investigations, settlement negotiations, and the trial process if needed.

The Intention Behind Guardrails

Guardrails exist to absorb energy and guide vehicles away from more dangerous impacts. They help prevent bad accidents from becoming deadly, especially when collisions occur at high speeds or near drop-offs. Modern guardrails, when installed correctly, play a key role in protecting drivers and passengers.

Why They May Fail

Guardrails are meant to reduce harm in car accidents by redirecting vehicles from embankments or oncoming traffic. Poor maintenance, outdated guardrail design, or improper installation can mean tragedy. These failures have caused severe injuries and fatalities in otherwise survivable collisions. As safety infrastructure evolves, outdated systems increase risks. When they contribute to harm, those responsible must be held liable.

The Consequences of Failure

Defective or older guardrails can pierce vehicles or collapse, turning manageable motor vehicle accidents into severe or fatal events. Failures often stem from poor design or lack of updates despite major safety technology changes. Combined with reckless driving or high speeds, malfunctioning barriers multiply risk. When these systems fail, injury victims deserve accountability.

How Guardrail Accidents Happen on Chicago Roadways

Guardrail crashes often result from run-off-road events, which can happen for reasons such as:

• A driver loses control due to speeding, aggressive driving, distraction, or weather conditions.
• A vehicle is forced off the road by a negligent driver.
• A sharp curve, confusing signage, or a lack of visibility contributes to the crash.

Many of these car accidents occur near highway interchanges, embankments, or bridges where guardrails are installed to reduce risk.

Understanding the Dangers of Guardrails

Not all guardrail failures are random. Inherent defects or long-standing design flaws cause some. The Trinity ET-Plus guardrail, manufactured by Trinity Industries, faced scrutiny for its potential to “spear” vehicles during crashes, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.

Examples of how defective guardrails lead to catastrophic crashes include:

• Guardrail design defects: Poor engineering or known flaws that reduce a barrier’s ability to absorb impact.
• Manufacturing defects: Issues in the production process that weaken the barrier.
• Improper installation: Guardrails that are installed too low, too high, or without anchor points.
• Poor maintenance: Outdated guardrails remain on many roads without timely replacement or inspection.
  

Who Can Be Liable in Guardrail Accidents?

Liability in a guardrail accident depends on the actual or proximate cause of the injuries. The potentially liable parties include:

• A reckless driver or a negligent driver who caused the initial accident.
  
• A guardrail manufacturer like Trinity Industries if the design or production was defective.
  
• A contractor responsible for a faulty setup.
  
• A government agency that failed to repair a damaged or dangerous guardrail (subject to immunity rules).

Common Injuries From Malfunctioning or Defective Guardrails

Injuries caused by dangerous guardrails are often severe. Because these structures are made of metal and designed to stop fast-moving vehicles, the damage to the vehicle and its occupants can be severe.

Common injuries include:

• Impalement from metal rail ends
• Amputations caused by rail penetration or shearing
• Complex bone fractures and spinal cord trauma
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries

In many cases, accident victims suffer serious injuries requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Pursuing Compensation Through a Guardrail Accident Claim

A guardrail accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim against all potentially liable parties. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses and medical bills
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Ongoing rehabilitation and home care

When a defective guardrail or improper installation contributes to your injuries, an experienced accident attorney will pursue all available options to maximize your financial recovery.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Fatal Guardrail Failure

If a fatal accident occurred and your family member died due to a guardrail failure, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Our law firm assists families in filing wrongful death cases on behalf of their loved one’s estate.

A wrongful death claim can seek damages for:

• Funeral costs and final medical expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Lost income and benefits
• Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death

We handle all legal aspects of the case while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.

Why Specialized Guardrail Lawyers Are Crucial for These Cases

Guardrail accident cases are more complex than typical auto accident claims. They often involve:

• Product liability against the guardrail manufacturer
• Negligence by government agencies or contractors
• The need for accident and engineering analysis

Only experienced guardrail lawyers have the resources and knowledge to handle these complex personal injury cases.

How Our Accident Attorneys Investigate Defective Guardrail Claims

At our personal injury law firm, we take a comprehensive approach to guardrail crash investigations. Our legal team will:

• Investigate the crash and accident scene
• Identify the type of guardrail and determine if it’s defective
• Consult engineering and accident reconstruction experts
• Analyze medical records and calculate medical costs and damages
• Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement

We’re committed to helping accident victims recover compensation for bodily harm from dangerous or defective guardrails.

Consult a Chicago Guardrail Accident Lawyer Near You for a Free Consultation

If you were severely injured or lost a loved one because of a defective or improperly installed guardrail, our law offices can help. We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. That means no legal fees unless we win your case.

Contact a Chicago guardrail accident lawyer today to learn how we can fight for your rights, build your case, and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or through our contact form to schedule your consultation.

Consult a Chicago Guardrail Accident Lawyer Near You for a Free Consultation

If you were severely injured or lost a loved one because of a defective or improperly installed guardrail, our law offices can help. We offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. That means no legal fees unless we win your case.

Contact a Chicago guardrail accident lawyer today to learn how we can fight for your rights, build your case, and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or through our contact form to schedule your consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.