Wabash to Explore All Options in Response to St. Louis Circuit Court Verdict
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) is evaluating legal options following a St. Louis jury verdict in Williams et al. v. Wabash, concerning a 2019 motor vehicle accident involving a 2004 Wabash trailer. The company disagrees with the verdict, stating it's not supported by facts or law. Key points:
1. The accident occurred nearly 20 years after the trailer's manufacture, which complied with all regulatory standards.
2. The jury was prevented from hearing critical evidence, including the driver's blood alcohol level being over the legal limit and neither occupant wearing a seatbelt.
3. Wabash maintains that no existing rear impact guard or trailer safety technology could have prevented the accident.
4. The company affirms its commitment to product quality and safety, continuing to provide solutions for safer roads.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) sta valutando opzioni legali a seguito di una sentenza di un giurì di St. Louis nel caso Williams et al. v. Wabash, riguardante un incidente automobilistico del 2019 che coinvolgeva un rimorchio Wabash del 2004. L'azienda non è d'accordo con la sentenza, affermando che non è sostenuta da fatti o legislazione. Punti chiave:
1. L'incidente è avvenuto quasi 20 anni dopo la fabbricazione del rimorchio, che era conforme a tutti gli standard normativi.
2. La giuria non ha potuto ascoltare prove fondamentali, incluso il fatto che il livello di alcol nel sangue del conducente superava il limite legale e che nessuno dei passeggeri indossava la cintura di sicurezza.
3. Wabash sostiene che nessun dispositivo di protezione posteriore esistente o tecnologia di sicurezza del rimorchio avrebbe potuto prevenire l'incidente.
4. L'azienda conferma il proprio impegno per la qualità e la sicurezza del prodotto, continuando a fornire soluzioni per strade più sicure.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) está evaluando opciones legales tras el veredicto de un jurado en St. Louis en el caso Williams et al. v. Wabash, sobre un accidente de vehículo ocurrido en 2019 que involucraba un remolque Wabash de 2004. La empresa no está de acuerdo con el veredicto, afirmando que no está respaldado por hechos ni por la ley. Puntos clave:
1. El accidente ocurrió casi 20 años después de la fabricación del remolque, que cumplía con todas las normas regulatorias.
2. Al jurado no se le permitió escuchar pruebas críticas, incluyendo que el nivel de alcohol en sangre del conductor superaba el límite legal y que ninguno de los ocupantes llevaba el cinturón de seguridad.
3. Wabash sostiene que no existía un guardabarros trasero o tecnología de seguridad de remolque que pudiera haber prevenido el accidente.
4. La empresa reafirma su compromiso con la calidad y la seguridad del producto, continuando en su labor de proporcionar soluciones para carreteras más seguras.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC)는 2019년 2004년형 Wabash 트레일러와 관련된 사고에 대해 Williams et al. v. Wabash 사건에서 세인트루이스 배심원단의 평결 이후 법적 옵션을 평가하고 있습니다. 회사는 평결에 동의하지 않는다고 주장하며 이는 사실이나 법령에 의해 뒷받침되지 않는다고 밝혔습니다. 주요 사항:
1. 사고는 트레일러 제조 후 거의 20년이 지난 후 발생했으며, 모든 규제 기준을 준수했습니다.
2. 배심원은 운전자의 혈중 알코올 농도가 법적 한도를 초과했다는 중요한 증거와 두 승객 모두 안전벨트를 착용하지 않았다는 사실을 들을 수 없었습니다.
3. Wabash는 기존의 후방 충격 방지 장치나 트레일러 안전 기술이 사고를 예방할 수 없었다고 주장하고 있습니다.
4. 회사는 제품 품질과 안전에 대한 의지를 다짐하며, 더 안전한 도로를 위한 솔루션을 지속적으로 제공하고 있습니다.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) évalue ses options légales suite à un verdict d'un jury de St. Louis dans l'affaire Williams et al. v. Wabash, concernant un accident de véhicule à moteur survenu en 2019 impliquant une remorque Wabash de 2004. L'entreprise n'est pas d'accord avec le verdict, affirmant qu'il n'est pas fondé sur des faits ou la loi. Points clés :
1. L'accident s'est produit près de 20 ans après la fabrication de la remorque, qui était conforme à toutes les normes réglementaires.
2. Le jury a été empêché d'entendre des preuves critiques, y compris que le taux d'alcoolémie du conducteur dépassait la limite légale et qu'aucun des occupants ne portait de ceinture de sécurité.
3. Wabash soutient qu'aucun pare-chocs arrière ou technologie de sécurité de remorque existante n'aurait pu prévenir l'accident.
4. L'entreprise confirme son engagement envers la qualité et la sécurité des produits, en continuant à fournir des solutions pour des routes plus sûres.
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) prüft rechtliche Optionen nach einem Schuldspruch einer Geschworenen in St. Louis im Fall Williams et al. v. Wabash, der einen Verkehrsunfall aus dem Jahr 2019 betrifft, bei dem ein Wabash-Anhänger aus dem Jahr 2004 beteiligt war. Das Unternehmen stimmt dem Urteil nicht zu und erklärt, dass es nicht durch Fakten oder das Gesetz gedeckt ist. Wichtige Punkte:
1. Der Unfall ereignete sich fast 20 Jahre nach der Herstellung des Anhängers, der allen regulatorischen Standards entsprach.
2. Die Geschworenen wurden daran gehindert, entscheidende Beweise zu hören, darunter den Blutalkoholgehalt des Fahrers, der über dem gesetzlichen Grenzwert lag und dass kein Passagier den Sicherheitsgurt angelegt hatte.
3. Wabash führt an, dass keine vorhandene Rückprallschutzvorrichtung oder Anhängersicherheitstechnologie den Unfall hätte verhindern können.
4. Das Unternehmen bekräftigt sein Engagement für Produktqualität und Sicherheit und setzt sich weiterhin dafür ein, Lösungen für sicherere Straßen anzubieten.
- Wabash maintains confidence in the quality and safety of its products
- The company is committed to continuing its operations and providing solutions for safer roads
- Unfavorable jury verdict in a lawsuit related to a 2019 motor vehicle accident
- Potential legal and financial implications from the court case outcome
- Jury was prevented from hearing critical evidence that could have influenced the verdict
Insights
This verdict poses significant legal and financial risks for Wabash. The jury's decision, despite the company's compliance with regulatory standards, sets a concerning precedent. The exclusion of critical evidence, such as the driver's blood alcohol level and seatbelt usage, raises questions about the fairness of the trial. This could impact Wabash's liability exposure and potentially affect other manufacturers in the industry.
Wabash's plan to explore all legal options is prudent. An appeal based on the excluded evidence could be a viable strategy. However, the negative publicity from this case might impact Wabash's reputation and customer confidence in the short term. Investors should monitor how this verdict might influence future litigation risks and potential regulatory changes in the trailer manufacturing industry.
The verdict against Wabash could have substantial financial implications. While the specific amount of damages isn't mentioned, such cases often involve significant sums. This could impact Wabash's cash reserves and potentially its future earnings if similar cases arise. Investors should watch for any changes in the company's financial guidance or liability provisions in upcoming reports.
Moreover, this verdict might lead to increased insurance costs for Wabash and possibly the entire industry. The company's stock price may experience volatility in the short term as the market digests this news. Long-term investors should assess how Wabash plans to mitigate future legal risks and whether this verdict might necessitate changes in product design or manufacturing processes, potentially affecting profit margins.
This verdict could have far-reaching implications for the entire trailer manufacturing industry. If upheld, it may set a precedent that holds manufacturers liable for accidents involving older models, even when compliant with standards at the time of manufacture. This could lead to increased industry-wide litigation risks and potentially drive up costs across the board.
The case might also spur regulatory changes, pushing for more stringent safety standards in trailer design. While this could benefit public safety, it would likely increase R&D and production costs for manufacturers. Companies may need to reassess their product liability strategies and potentially increase their focus on advanced safety features, even for basic models. This shift could reshape competitive dynamics within the industry, favoring companies with stronger innovation capabilities.
LAFAYETTE, Ind., Sept. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wabash (NYSE: WNC) today announced it is evaluating all available legal options in response to the verdict by a St. Louis jury in Williams et al. v. Wabash. The case concerns a 2019 motor vehicle accident in which a passenger vehicle traveling at a high speed struck the back of a nearly stopped 2004 Wabash trailer.
“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,” said Wabash’s General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Kristin Glazner. “No rear impact guard or trailer safety technology has ever existed that would have made a difference here.”
The accident occurred nearly two decades after the trailer involved was manufactured by Wabash in compliance with all existing regulatory standards.
Additionally, despite precedent to the contrary, the jury was prevented from hearing critical evidence in the case, including that the driver’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit at the time of the accident. The fact that neither the driver nor his passenger was wearing a seatbelt was also kept from the jury, even though plaintiffs argued both would have survived a 55-mile-per-hour collision had the vehicle not broken through the trailer's rear impact guard.
Wabash stands firmly behind the quality and safety of all its products, and this ruling will not prevent the company from continuing to provide its customers with products that contribute to safer roads.
Wabash: Changing How the World Reaches You
Wabash (NYSE: WNC) is the visionary leader of connected solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries that is Changing How the World Reaches You®. Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, the company enables customers to thrive by providing insight into tomorrow and delivering pragmatic solutions today to move everything from first to final mile. Wabash designs, manufactures, and services a diverse range of products, including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, flatbed trailers, tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade processing equipment. Learn more at www.onewabash.com.
Media Contact:
Dana Stelsel
Director, Communications
(765) 771-5766
dana.stelsel@onewabash.com
Investor Relations:
Ryan Reed
Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
(765) 490-5664
ryan.reed@onewabash.com
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