Recent Posts in Wrongful Death Category

Have you been in a motor vehicle accident that involved negligent driving on the part of someone else while in the greater St. Louis area?

Recent automobile, tractor trailer and motorcycle accidents have brought highway work zones to the forefront of attention regarding safety.  According to safety engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation, it takes a split second for disaster to occur while in or approaching a highway work zone.  Three recent crashes in work zones have made experts examine safety practices in road work zones.  Last Thursday evening a prisoner in a Wyandotte county sheriff's car was killed when the car was rear-ended as it slowed for construction on I-70.  This accident occurred just a week after a two teen fatality crash on I-44 that involved two school buses and serious injured several other teens.  On Sunday evening four people were seriously injured on I-35 when their car was hit from behind while it was stopped for work-zone congestion.  Some facts have been released about recent Missouri crash causes in work zones:

                Driver inattention is a major problem.

                Majority of accidents occur in the regular flow of traffic, not during rush hour

                Majority of crashes occur when it is drive.

    Texting, fidgeting with one's IPod,  or letting one's mind wonder can cause a second distraction that could be fatal.  The National Transportation Safety Board is examining work zone compliance and speed limits.  However, if drivers don't pay attention then all of the bells and whistles will not be useful.   Accidents in work zones are up in the state of Missouri and experts attribute some of that increase due to the amount of roadwork that is going on in Missouri.   Missouri has made some changes in roadwork safety to include higher fines for hitting a work zone crew member,  workers wearing fluorescent green vests to enhance visibility, and rumble strips on the highway to warn motorists of approaching highway work zones. Accidents in work zones are often fatal or leave victims with catastrophic injuries.

Have you been in a motor vehicle accident that involved negligent driving on the part of someone else while in the greater St. Louis area?

Zane Cagle at the Cagle Law Firm can assist you to determine if you have a claim or lawsuit.  Using a St. Louis attorney such as Zane Cagle allows you the resources to pursue damages and recover medical bills that are overwhelming after an injury.  At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A man was killed in a motorcycle accident when he crashed into a car on Hampton Avenue at Milentz Avenue in St. Louis on Sunday.  He was traveling northbound on Hampton when the driver of a car hit another vehicle while attempting to pass which led to the collision with the motorcycle. Summer months see an increase in motorcyclist on the highways and side streets. There are many reasons motorcycles collide with other vehicles. The number one reason for motorcycle accidents is motorist not being aware of motorcyclist and not seeing them.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis?

If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, motorcycle accident victims are legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another motorist on the road, or on the part of a company or corporation. For example, if a defect with the motorcycle causes an accident to occur, such as brake failure, the company that manufactured the motorcycle can be held liable for damages. At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a motorcycle accident or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

While cameras at traffic stops have seen much press, cameras at railroad crossings have had much less attention.  In May of 2008, a camera was installed on Rock Hill Road near downtown Webster Groves to catch motorist trying get past railroad warning devices.  During the first 1 ½ years, it has resulted in about 1,100 citations to gate running.  Last year, of the 1,896 incidents at railroad crossing in the United States, there 247 deaths and 705 injuries according to the Federal Highway Administration.  Enforcement through installation of a camera is one way for a municipality to increase safety. According to railroad spokespersons, however, enforcement is just one of the factors to increase safety; the other two factors are engineering and education.

There  has a been a slight drop in the number of railroad crossing accidents and part of this is due to the number of crossing that have been closed in the past six years. The Federal Railroad Administration asked railroads to be more aggressive in this area.

Locomotives from several rail companies have become outfitted with cameras in the cab to record the images of crashes or near misses. This video footage may be useful to all parties in an investigation when analyzing many aspects to determine fault and also, for railroad safety training.

So what if you have been involved in a railroad related accident?
As railroad accidents continue to increase involving derailment, crashes with other trains, pedestrians, equipment failure or crashes with other vehicles; all of these types of accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, deaths, and extremely large amounts of property damage.Not only do these injuries have major consequences for the victims, but their families and loved ones who depend on their income may have to provide care. A FELA claim may assist family members in recovering lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, future and past medical bills and the possibilities of permanent disability. Zane Cagle is aggressive in assisting victims of train wrecks and their families in filing claims to assist in this time of need. If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a train related crash, contact the firm as soon as possible. The sooner you contact an attorney who specializes in the area of FELA related claims, the more advantagous to your claim.  While you have three years to file this claim, prompt and aggressive action provided in retaining evidence and utilizing a research team is essential.  This prompt action is part of the aggressive reputation of the Cagle Law firm. Our premier St. Louis personal injury attorneys will speak with you personally in a free consultation, answering any and all questions you may have about your claim.

To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the Missouri crash in Interstate 44 that involved twoschool buses, a pickup truck and a tractor trailer.  The crash resulted in the deaths of two teenagers and injuries to fifty-four other students.  Two girls remain hospitalized; however, their names have not been released. The accident occurred when a semi slowed down for road construction and a pickup truck driven by a 19 year old man of Sullivan crashed into the back of it.  Two school buses carrying high school band students then slammed into that wreck.  A 15 year old girl of St. James, was killed when she was in the back seat of the first bus.  Charges will probably not be filed against any drivers until the final patrol reported is completed which may take up to six weeks.

Investigators are hoping to discover some information that will make school bus travel and road construction zones more safe.  Summer is a busy time for road construction and wrecks are common in work zones. The Missouri Department of Transportation is doing work on 250 bridges and improving 5,600 miles of roadway.  Accidents continue to happen in spite of their safety education efforts, signage, stricter penalties and fines for construction area violations.

Have you been in a motor vehicle accident that involved negligent driving on the part of someone else while in the greater St. Louis area?

Two crashes invovling tractor trailers, about two miles a part, claimed two lives on I-70 near Highland, Illinois.  In one of the crashes a pickup truck was sandwiched between two tractor-trailers possibly resulting from a slow-down from another crash ahead that took place about 10 minutes before.  One of the drivers of the tractor trailers was unable to escape when his tractor trailer caught on fire. A crash had occurred approximately 10 minutes prior on I-70 further westbound involving a tractor trailer cabin and trailer veering off to opposite sides of the highway, dumping boxes of food across the median.

Police report that a third accident occurred with a tractor trailer and a motorcycle.  The motorcycle crashed into the back of the tractor trailer, causing  injuries to the motorcyclist.  Traffic was backed up for hours and Highway Patrol was redirecting St. Louis bound traffic.  The identity of the victims has not been released.

Have you been the victim of a collision with a tractor trailer?

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  truck accident attorney and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
personal injury To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Amtrak train traveling from Lee's Summit to St. Louis was involved in two train-auto collisions with pick-up trucks on Thursday. At 8 a.m., a 44 year old man drove around a crossing bar that had just been lowered and was struck. The truck was sheared in half and the man was ejected about 40 feet.  The driver was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and remains in intensive care. It was later determined that the driver was driving a truck that had been stolen earlier from a sanitation business. Then, two hours later, the Amtrak train struck a maintenance worker's pick-up as it was sitting too close to the tracks.  The maintenance worker was spraying weeds from the inside of the truck and did not have time to move.  The second collision occurred at a section of the track that did not include warning signs. None of the passengers on the Amtrak train were injured in either collision.

Have you been injured in a railroad related accident ?

While both collisions were avoidable, both could be classified as different type's personal injury claims. In the first accident, the driver of the truck was a non railroad employee where as in the second accident; the maintenance worker may have been a railroad employee.  If the second driver was a railroad employee then he would fall under The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) that allows railroad employees who are injured on the job to file a lawsuit to recover damages from his/her employer when negligence occurs on the part of the employer or another employee.  This act is not to be confused with Workers' Compensation.  Under conditions of FELA, the injured employee may recover punitive damages that they would not be entitled to under Workers' Compensation; however, FELA is a complicated statute. Therefore, it is highly recommended that an injured employee or family of a killed employee to consult a FELA attorney in order to protect the victim's rights. 
  
    At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the St. Louis area accounts for 102 of the state's 236 reported bicycle related accidents.  St. Louis area is considered to be St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles.  According to many experts the higher number of reported accidents is due to the fact that cycle advocacy groups in the metropolitan area do an excellent job of making cyclist aware that they need to report accidents to ensure documentation.  Often, in many rural areas, accidents are not reported according to experts. So why is St. Louis considered a bicycle-friendly city? St. Louis received a bronze star for its efforts to make the city and roadways bicycle friendly. When awarding the star, the League of American Bicyclists consider engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation.  St. Louis recieved stars in education and enforcement. St. Louis also participates in National Bike to Work Day and hosts the Gateway Cup and Tour de Soulard. Columbia and Springfield also received acknowledgements for their efforts to make roadways bicycle friendly.  St. Louis has bike lanes on 30 percent of the city's roads with more on the way.  However, there is controversy about possible bike bans in the St. Charles area.  There are advocates for and against bicyclist and increasing bicycle lanes. Some who have experienced accidents with motorist have an opinion of caution as they have experienced serious injuries.

When a cyclist is in an accident with a car or truck, obviously the advantage is not for the person on two wheels. Serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, serious neurological damage, disfiguring injuries, broken bones and even death can be a result of a collision with another moving vehicle.  As well, there can be serious injuries when a cyclist collides with a stationary object.  Helmets are always a must and disastrous if not worn just as in motorcycle accidents.

Have you been in a bicycle related accident?

If you have been in a bicycle related accident and have sustained injuries, then you should contact a St. Louis personal injury attorney to determine if you have claims for medical cost, lost of work wages, and personal injury.  Consulting an attorney soon after the accident is beneficial  for a thorough investigation to occur.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a peronal injury or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children ages 1-14.  While some crashes simply cannot be survived, over 57% of deaths for children 0-15 occur because the child was not restrained and many more occur due to the child being improperly restrained.  Nationally, the misuse rate of child safety seats is over 80% and as high as 95% in some areas.  Infant seats have been shown to reduce a child's fatal injury by 71% and toddler seats by 54%.

Due to a child's inexperience and lack of understanding toward many dangers, they are the most susceptible to death or injuries in a motor vehicle. Because of the increases in child fatalities in motor crashes, researchers have studied the causes of child injury during motor crashes and steps to help prevent them.

Harsh Grewal, MD, a pediatric surgeon from Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital in collaboration with his colleagues reviewed 10 years worth of medical literature on children and motor vehicle accidents.

Their study revealed that children involved in car accidents when they were inappropriately seat belted were at a higher risk for "seat belt syndrome", a complex of injuries to the spine and abdomen. Pediatric health care professionals should be wary when receiving children that exhibit bruising as it may indicate much more serious injuries such as spinal cord injury, abdominal and or spine tenderness and neurological deficits.  It was found that boys are more susceptible to injury than girls and that eh incidence increases with age.

There are some basic rules for child safety in motor vehicles from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Kids 12 and under should always ride in the back seat. This cuts the risk of death by 36%
• Kids should be in a car seat or booster until they can be seated properly in a seatbelt.  For most children, this is around 8 years of age or 4'9" tall, but proper seatbelt fit is the most important factor.
• Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat when there is an active frontal airbag.
• Keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible. That can mean up to 30, 33 or 35 pounds in most current convertible seats unless they outgrow it by height first.
• All current car seats should pass government safety standards. Select the one that best fits your child, your vehicle and your budget. Some models do have different features; select one that has the features that will allow you to use it correctly on EVERY trip.
• Always read the owner's manuals for your vehicle and car seat thoroughly.  They often contain specific information about car seat installation that may not be obvious. Some models may vary from what you would expect.
• Make sure the harness fits snugly on your child, the car seat fits snugly in your vehicle, and that your vehicle seatbelts are locked properly.
• Why you buy a car seat, make sure you have a good return policy in case it doesn't fit or in case you find that you do not like it. Have your seat inspected by a certified technician for free at a checkup event or fitting station.
• Please be wary of used car seats, especially those over 6 years of age, those with an unknown history that may have been in a crash, those that show any form of cracks or damage, and those with missing labels, model numbers, manufacturing date, instructions or parts.
• Please give driving your complete, unimpaired attention and wear your own seatbelt all the time. These two simple steps are among these easiest ways you can protect yourself and your passengers from injury or death.

Obviously some restraint is better than none at all. In a collision, an unrestrained child continues at the speed of the automobile until they come into contact with some part of the interior.  On occasion, a car seat will be defective in its construction and may cause a child to sustain catastrophic injuries or even death. Contacting a product liability attorney as soon as possible after such an accident is crucial in order for a thorough investigation to occur.  Contact The Cagle Law Firm if you have been in an accident with a small child that was restrained and any passenger that sustained injuries. 

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury,defective product claim or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

An 18 year old teen died from injuries she sustained after a one vehicle auto accident.  The teen was a passenger in a truck driven by a 19 year old teen, both from Union, Missouri.  The 18 year old teen was thrown from the truck after it left the roadway.  The driver overcorrected, returned the truck to the road, and went off the road on the other side and overcorrected again, thus the vehicle overturned.

The teen was taken by helicopter to St. John's Mercy Medical Center but died later that afternoon. Police have not indicated if seat belts were being worn at the time of the accident. While seat belts are a great determinant between serious injuries and death in many cases, wearing them does not insure walking away from a crash with just minor injuries.  Investigators will need to conclude if seat belts were worn and if not, then could the injuries have been less catastrophic is worn

Have you or a loved one been the victim of an automobile accident?
 Catastrophic injuries can be a result of auto accidents as well as wrongful deaths.  Calling an attorney is as soon as possible is important in order to preserve many aspects of the investigation. If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto accident or due to the negligent or reckless driving of another, you may have a legal claim for compensation.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A Florissant teen died in a drowning accident late Sunday night in Lake St. Louis after he jumped off the boat for a last swim and never resurfaced.  He and six friends were pontoon boating and were returning to the Woodlands Marina.  Officials said the teen's friends lost sight of him and searched for several minutes.  According to officials, the group had consumed alcohol and had gone out on the boat around 10:30 p.m.  Missouri State Water Patrol, Lake Saint Louis Police officers, EMS personnel and firefighters from Lake Saint Louis, O'Fallon and St Charles all searched for the missing teen. The young man was found in about 10 feet of water and about 50 feet from the shore at approximately 4 a.m.

Officials do not know if the teen was a good swimmer and are investigating to determine if alcohol was a factor.  The driver of the boat, a 23 year old man of Wentzville was arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated according to Missouri Highway Patrol.  Authorities do not at this time, believe the condition of the boat operator had a bearing on the death.

The teen was known for being an accomplished athlete at the local high school in Spanish Lake. At this time, the death has been determined as accidental but officials are still waiting results from the medical examiner.

Drowning deaths can occur quickly and tragically for many reasons.  In many situations the cause of a water accident involving serious injuries or death may be the result of negligence on the part of a boat operator or supervisor.

Have you been the victim of a water accident?  Have you lost a loved one due to a tragic drowning accident? 

If so, you may have a personal injury claim if the facility or persons supervising were negligent.  Calling The Cagle Law Firm soon after the accident is advantageous in order to fully investigate the situation. The attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm can evaluate your circumstances and determine if you have claims for medical compensation or wrongful death.  Seeking a St. Louis attorney such as Zane Cagle in this time of difficulty may ease many of your concerns by examining legal aspects of the tragic situation.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

On Missouri waterways, there have been 30 drowning deaths thus far in 2010.  That number had doubled since last year.  Heat and flooding contribute to more deaths.  People spend more time around the water when the heat rises and as flooding causes swollen rivers.  As well, people trying to drive through water on roads are counted among the drowning deaths.

Some individuals believe that rushing water such as the swollen waters of the James River would make for a better river experience. According to experts, swollen,  rain-filled rivers should be avoided due to swift currents and rising water hides objects such as tree limbs that can trap watercraft and swimmers, causing death.

Inability to swim and failure to use lifejackets continue to be a problem according to officials.  Even though the opportunity to save a drowning person does not occur that often, everyone needs to remember that person is panicking and will take a rescuer down with him or her.  Be sure to keep a barrier such as extending a paddle, throwing a life preserver or rope, or pushing a raft to the drowning person.  While often the case, it is especially true with children that there is not a cry for help, but the individual simply slips under the water.  Vigilance is crucial when people are in the water.

Another common factor in drowning deaths is alcohol. Not just for boat captains but for passengers and swimmers as well.  Alcohol is frequently a factor in boating accidents. Alcohol affects judgment and reflex time as well as fatigue levels.  Swimmers must know their own limits and keep alcohol intake within reason.

More than 700 people die annually in boating accidents, most commonly by falling overboard.  Ninety percent of those who drown from falling overboard in 2008 were not wearing life jackets.  Most drowning from falling overboard could be avoided by wearing life jackets. Children, seven year and younger are required to wear lifejackets; however, officials encourage parents to extend that age and feel that many parents do.

Have you been the victim of a water accident?  Have you lost a loved one due to a tragic drowning accident?  I

If so, you may have a personal injury claim if the facility or persons supervising were negligent.  Calling The Cagle Law Firm soon after the accident is advantageous in order to fully investigate the situation. The attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm can evaluate your circumstances and determine if you have claims for medical compensation or wrongful death.  Seeking a St. Louis attorney such as Zane Cagle in this time of difficulty may ease many of your concerns by examining legal aspects of the tragic situation.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A 21 year old woman crashed into a semi truck and was ejected from her car when she was then struck by a second tractor trailer on Sunday afternoon.  Officials pronounced the woman dead at the scene.  A witness reported that they had seen the woman texting just before the crash.  She lost control of her 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue and left the highway, striking a guardrail. She then spun back into the highway and struck a tractor trailer. After crashing into the first tractor trailer, she was thrown from her car and then struck by the second tractor trailer. The crash remains under investigation and due to the damage to the car, it cannot be determined if she was wearing a seatbelt. However, her phone has been recovered for investigation as to time and use to determine if "texting" was a contributing factor in the horrific accident. No  reports were made in regard to the injuries the drivers of the tractor trailers may have sustained.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

The Missouri Highway Patrol responded in nine counties to accidents that killed 10 people over the weekend.  Car accidents, motorcycle accident,bicycle accident, and a pedestrian hit and run were among the tragic events.  Twelve people died over the July 4^th weekend and that number included local police agencies in addition to the Missouri Highway Patrol.  Therefore, this past weekend was more deadly than the last holiday weekend as there were 10 fatalities that the Missouri Highway Patrol worked alone. This number does not account for any injuries or fatalities reported by any local agencies.

First Crash: Saline County: A 27 year old man was struck and killed while walking along I-70 by a hit and run driver.

Second Crash: Cole County: Two Jefferson City men were killed in a head on car crash. Both men died at the scene. The 36 year old driver crossed the center line and crashed into the 30 year old driver. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Third Crash: Franklin County where a 32 year-old St. Louis man died when the car he was driving veered off the road and overturned.

Fourth Crash: Greene County: An 87 year-old man died when he drove into the path of another car on US  Hwy 160

Fifth Crash:  Jasper County:  A 46 year-old man was riding a bicycle Saturday morning when he was struck from behind by a pick-up.  According to police, the driver of the pick-up never saw the bicyclist.

Six Crash: Clay County: A 44 year old-man and his passenger where thrown from their vehicle when it overturned after the driver proceeded to pass illegally.  The passenger sustained serious injuries.

Seventh Crash: Macon County:  A 31 year old man was thrown from his car after crossing the centerline, running off the road, striking a ditch, mailbox and cable box.

Eighth Crash: Buchanan County: A 25 year old man was killed on his dirt bike when he was hit by a southbound Jeep. He was not wearing a helmet according to patrol while operating his motorcyle.

Ninth Crash:  Newton County: A five year old girl died in a two-car crash on US 60, east of Neosho.  Eight additional people were injured, four sustained serious injuries.  According to patrol, a car ran a stop sign and pulled into the path of the car the five year old was a passenger.  Both cars went down an embankment. The child died at the scene and the driver other car is being investigated for blood alcohol.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of a moving vehicle accident?  

    If you or a loved one has been injured in an moving vehicle accident such as a car, bicycle, motorcyle or Jet Ski accident;  Zane Cagle at the Cagle Law Firm can assist you to determine if you have a claim or lawsuit.  Using a St. Louis attorney such as Zane Cagle allows you the resources to pursue damages and recover medical bills that are overwhelming after an injury.  At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Commerce Commission are working together in developing a plan to reduce railroad crossing accidents.  The new regulations must be submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration for approval.  The key concepts (Chicago Tribune) in the plan include:

• Closing as many crossings as possible to reduce potential conflicts with trains and vehicles. This incentive is generally viewed as unpopular in metro and rural areas due to heave vehicle traffic.
• Installing train-control technology to detect the presence of a trapped vehicle on tracks and provide advance warnings to locomotive engineers and railroad personnel.  The estimated of installing such technology is estimated to be $700,000 per crossing
• Building overpasses or tunnels to separate rail and highway traffic.  This option is the most expensive, estimated at $20 to $40 million per location
• Eliminating pedestrian crosswalks over tracks at passenger rail stations and installing fencing to deter pedestrians from trespassing onto tracks.

Railroad related accidents are frequently very expensive in regard to property damage and in human life and suffering.  Death is frequently the result of a collision with a train and non-fatal injuries are frequently catastrophic in nature.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of a railroad related accident?

    If so, contacting an attorney with special skills and knowledge in the area of freight violations is important.  As well, contacting the appropriate attorney as soon after the accident is essential to preserve many crucial facts of the investigation.  The attorneys at the Cagle Law Firm have been practicing in the area of railroad related accidents for many years and are very knowledgeable about what kind of claim you may have and what kind of compensation you can qualify to receive.

On-the-Job Railroad Accident Injuries?

    The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees who are injured on the job to file a lawsuit to recover damages from his/her employeer when negligence occurred on the part of the employeer or another employee.  This act is not to be confused with Workers' Compensation.  Under conditions of FELA, the injured employee may recover punitive damages that they would not be entitled to under Workers' Compensation, however, FELA is a complicated statute. Therefore, it is highly recommended that an injured employee or family of a killed employee to consult a FELA attorney in order to protect the victims rights. 
  
    At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

    In the United States, approximately every two hours a pedestrian or motor vehicle is struck by a train.   In 2007, there were more than 13,000 railroad related accidents according to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis.  Of these railroad related accidents, 851 were fatalities and 8,801 were non-fatal.  Of the deaths, 338 occurred at highway railroad crossings and 473 were from trespassing on railroad property and rights-of-way.  In 2007, 1,031 of the related injuries occurred at highway railroad crossings and 398 injuries occurred due to trespassing issues. 

    Recent years have shown an increase in the number of railroad accidents in the news and are frequently most reported when there is equipment failure, collisions with other trains, derailments, or collisions with pedestrians and/or other vehicles.  If the result from the crash is not fatal, more likely than not, the injuries are catastrophic in nature including traumatic brain injuries and disfiguring injuries.  The property damages are frequently very high as well due to the sheer size of trains.  Whether the cause of the railroad related accident if equipment related, there are many types of personal injury cases an individual may have if they are the victim of such accident.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of a railroad related accident?

    If so, contacting an attorney with special skills and knowledge in the area of freight violations is important.  As well, contacting the appropriate attorney as soon after the accident is essential to preserve many crucial facts of the investigation.  The attorneys at the Cagle Law Firm have been practicing in the area of railroad related accidents for many years and are very knowledgeable about what kind of claim you may have and what kind of compensation you can qualify to receive.

On-the-Job Railroad Accident Injuries?

    The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees who are injured on the job to file a lawsuit to recover damages from his/her employeer when negligence occurred on the part of the employeer or another employee.  This act is not to be confused with Workers' Compensation.  Under conditions of FELA, the injured employee may recover punitive damages that they would not be entitled to under Workers' Compensation, however, FELA is a complicated statute. Therefore, it is highly recommended that an injured employee or family of a killed employee to consult a FELA attorney in order to protect the victims rights. 
  
    At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

    Listening to earphones while riding a bicycle across train tracks seems to be the cause of the death of a 32 year-old Utah man according to officials. While the train intersection was in the middle of a downtown area and the train was thought to only be traveling at approximately 25 mph, the bicyclist never seemed to see or hear the train lights or sirens as he crossed the tracks.  Even though the train conductor utilized the emergency brakes, the man was still carried almost 100 feet down the tracks after the initial train collision.  Trains traveling even at a rate of 25 to 30 miles an hour have a great deal of inertia and cannot stop very quickly.  Seemingly, the young man was lost in his thoughts or the music and failed to hear the multiple train whistle blows.  Safety experts caution using earphones while operating any type of moving vehicle and say it can be perilous as a pedestrian as well if traveling on busy sidewalks or streets.  Serious and even fatal injuries can occur when distracted by earphones or loud music.  And how many of us are guilty of using headphones while driving or running on busy streets every day?

Have you been injured or lost a loved one due to a railroad related accident?

    While sometimes fault lies with the individual that crashes into the train, sometimes proper warnings do not exist regarding train crossings.   As well, in some instances, trains exceed the recommended or maximum speed limits.  After a train accident, a thorough investigation must be completed to determine all of the contributing factors. Catastrophic injuries are often the result of collisions with trains if not death.  If you or a loved one has been the victim of a train crash, contact a St. Louis attorney with experience in freight regulations  in order to protect your interests.  You may be entitled to medical expenses, loss of wages and suffering if any safety violations have been committed on behalf of the freight companies. While collisions with trains are often fatal, a wrongful death claim may be available if you have lost a loved one.

On-the-Job Railroad Accident Injuries?

    The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees who are injured on the job to file a lawsuit to recover damages from his/her employeer when negligence occurred on the part of the employeer or another employee.  This act is not to be confused with Workers' Compensation.  Under conditions of FELA, the injured employee may recover punitive damages that they would not be entitled to under Workers' Compensation, however, FELA is a complicated statute. Therefore, it is highly recommended that an injured employee or family of a killed employee to consult a FELA attorney in order to protect the victims rights.  
    At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Many people assume a pool or lake area is safe if a lifeguard is "on-duty", however, many drownings occur daily and often times in areas where lifeguards are on duty.   Ten people die a day on average from accidental drowning and more than 1 in 5 involve children ages 14 or younger.  A visual study done by CBS including the work of a safety consultant observed many lifeguards and found many paying close attention. However, they did observe some lifeguards texting and doing paperwork.  In these instances, children would be more safe if a "No Lifeguard On Duty" sign where hung for parent awareness. 

A drowning can happen in a few short seconds and there should always be qualified and observant adult supervising swimmers to avoid swimming pool accidents.  Many minor injuries and serious injuries can occur even when a lifeguard is observant; therefore, turning ones back to the pool is never acceptable when the pool is occupied.  In addition to a drowning, many slip and fall accidents can occur poolside and result in traumatic brain injuries in childrend.  Spinal cord injuries can occur easily  when swimmers dive into shallow areas or use the diving board improperly. Many needless tragedies can be avoided by constant vigilance by an adult supervisor. 

Have you been the victim of a water accident?  Have you lost a loved one due to a tragic drowning accident?  I

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A Jerseyville teenager was killed Saturday on Lake Lou Yeager in a boating accident. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the girl was killed by contact with the boat's propellers.   The driver of the boat was apparently trying to pull out of a cove where several other boats where anchored as well, when the boat came into contact with the teenager.  The conservation police are continuing their investigation. Lake Lou Yaeger is a reservoir about 50 miles northeast of St Louis.

Injured in a Boating Accident in St. Louis or Illinois Area?

If you have suffered an injury in a boating accident or Jet Ski accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, boating and Jet Ski accident victims may be legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another boat operator, or on the part of a company or corporation.  At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a boating, Jet Ski or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A pedestrian has died after being struck by a car last Thursday.  The St. Louis woman was apparently running from a man chasing her on his bike when she was struck by the car.  She became stuck in the windshield and the car crashed into a restaurant drive-thru. She originally lost part of her leg and suffered multiple serious injuries which resulted in her death.   One of the passengers in the car was covered in broken glass and hospitalized.  Police are investigating the identity of the man chasing the pedestrian on the bicycle.  The pedestrian-auto accident occurred around 3 a.m. on Wednesday evening.  The St. Louis woman died on Thursday.

Have you been the victim of a pedestrian-auto accident?  Or have you suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of someone else?  Cars hit pedestrian in a number of ways and in metropolitan areas, the chances of being hit by a moving vehicle increase.  If you have been hit by a car, you may have a claim for personal injury.  As well, if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian-vehicle crash then you may have a wrongful death claim.  Calling an aggressive personal injury attorney in the first days is essential for proper investigation of facts to occur.  Call Zane Cagle, at The Cagle Law Firm to discuss your options before hospital bills and loss of work factors become an enormous issue in your life.  The attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm will assist you in determining if you have a personal injury or wrongful death case. They are premiere St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys that can assist you through these difficult times.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A truck driver has been charged with homicide by vehicle in a deadly five car crash on Route 209 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, that has killed one and left several others with catastrophic injuries. Last Thursday evening four vehicles were stopped at a red light facing northbound when the tractor-trailer traveling northbound in the right lane failed to stop and crashed into the back of a Mini Cooper. The Mini Cooper then struck a Chevrolet Corvette and then crossed the intersection and crashed into a guard rail.  The Corvette was pushed into the left lane and collided with a Chrysler 300. After striking the Mini Cooper the tractor trailer then continued straight and hit a Hyundai Santa Fe. The Hyundai was shoved into the intersection and the tractor trailer veered off the road and crashed into a traffic control pole and caught fire. The traffic control pole then fell on the Hyundai. The driver of the Hyundai and her passenger were air lifted to an area hospital.

The truck driver was arraigned on charges of homicide by vehicle, following too close, and careless driving.
When a truck driver is negligent, the effects are often deadly. Catastrophic injuries can be a result of truck accidents as well as wrongful deaths.  If you or a loved one were hurt in a semi truck accident due to the negligent or reckless driving, you may have a legal claim for compensation.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  truck accident attorney and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
personal injury To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Five people were killed in motorcycle related accidents over last weekend in western New York.   Surprising to many people is the fact that the majority of the motorcyclists killed were in their 50's.   Safety experts say that this is not all that surprising for a several reasons.  Many older motorcyclists got their licenses in the 1970's and can now afford larger, more powerful motorcycles.  Also, many older motorcyclist wear novelty helmets called "peanut" helmets that do not provide the protection of standard helmets.  Motorcyclists wearing the peanut helmets are frequently seriously injured in accidents from which they should be walking away or sustaining only minor injuries.  Other serious complicating factors are the texting, talking on cell phones, and listening to loud music from radios and iPods by motorist which distracts them from paying attention to motorcyclist on the roadways.  The beginning of the summer season is an adjustment time as well as motorist are not as accustomed to so many more motorcycles on the roadways or being aware of them.

Motorcyclist can keep themselves safer by wearing appropriate helmets and taking motorcycle safety driving courses so they can be better defensive drivers.

The five fatalities included four men and one woman.  Alcohol was a factor in one fatality when a 48 year old woman was ejected off the back of the motorcycle she was on. The driver of the motorcycle sustained serious injuries and was charged with vehicular manslaughter.  A 29 year-old man died at a hospital resulting from catastrophic injures he sustained when he was ejected from his motorcycle in a motorcycle-van collision where the force of the impact hurled the motorcycle onto him as he lay on the shoulder.

A 50 year-old man died after he missed a curve and hit a guard rail and sign post and suffered full body trauma. And another 50 year -old man was killed when he was ejected from his motorcycle after he lost control.  He was wearing a helmet but sustained serious injuries to his upper body.  And early Saturday, a 56 year -old man was killed when he and his passenger were ejected from their motorcycle it left the road.  The passenger was flown to a local hospital and is stable. 

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis?

If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, motorcycle accident victims are legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another motorist on the road, or on the part of a company or corporation. For example, if a defect with the motorcycle causes an accident to occur, such as brake failure, the company that manufactured the motorcycle can be held liable for damages. At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a motorcycle accident or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced  truck accident attorney and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
personal injury To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) can be a fun, summer experience, however, accidents and visits to emergency rooms due to ATV's are quickly increasing in these summer months.  A hospital in Springfield, Missouri has reported that ER visits due to ATV accidents is up more than 50 % compared to this time last year. In the last four months, they have had 29 ATV related accidents opposed to 12 in the same time frame last year. Nationally, news reports note that from 5/25/10 to 6/7/10 there have been at least 41 deaths, and 13 of those deaths were under the age of 16. 

There are significant risks involved in riding ATV's, specifically, if one is racing. Injuries such as severe brain injury, spinal cord trauma, multiple fractures to the upper and lower extremities, abdominal trauma; facial and dental injuries can be the result of ATV accidents.

ATVs can easily flip on tricky terrain, and adding passengers can make it harder to maintain balance.

ATVSafety.gov gives a number of helpful safety tips:

*Experience is important when riding an ATV

* All new riders are encouraged to take a training course which are offered nation wide

*Wear the appropriate gear

*Wear the age/size appropriate helmet

*Do not ride on paved roads or at night

*Do not ride tandem on a 1-up ATV

*Children under the age of 16 years should never ride an adult-sized ATV

The website offers many riding safety tips in regard to riding safely on various types of terrain. 

New and experienced ATV riders should refresh their skills and awareness of the dangers that are accompanied with riding all terrain vehicles.  Nationally, news reports note that from 5/25/10 to 6/7/10 there have been at least 41 deaths, and 13 of those deaths were under the age of 16. 

Injured in an ATV Accident in St. Louis?

If you have suffered an injury in a ATV or motorcycle accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, motorcycle accident victims are legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a motorcycle accident or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

A Washington man is dead after he was struck from behind by a Camry as he was stopped on his motorcycle at a red light in St. Peters. The motorcyclist was sitting eastbound on Highway 94 at Kisker Road when an eastbound Toyota Camry struck him just after the light changed to green. The Washington man was thrown from his 2010 Triumph. The motorcyclist suffered catastrophic injures that led to his death. The police have not determined why the Toyota Camry re-ended the motorcyclist.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis?

If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, motorcycle accident victims are legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another motorist on the road, or on the part of a company or corporation. For example, if a defect with the motorcycle causes an accident to occur, such as brake failure, the company that manufactured the motorcycle can be held liable for damages. At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a motorcycle accident or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Injured in a Boating Accident in St. Louis Area?

If you have suffered an injury in a boating accident or Jet Ski accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, boating and Jet Ski accident victims may be legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another boat operator, or on the part of a company or corporation.  At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a boating, Jet Ski or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

Last week the Federal Railroad Administration proposed the banning of the use of cell phones and electronic devices by railroad operating employees. Due to the increase in railroad accidents because of these devices, the FRA is considering these new rules. The language of these proposed rules cite examples of accidents with FELA related injuries attributed to the use of these types of distracting devices.  Frequently, the injured party is a railroad employee and protected under FELA.  A train accident attorney is required when railroad workers are injured in order to protect their legal rights.

 Attorney Zane Cagle is aware that every person's case is different - if you or a family member has been injured in any type of train accident in Missouri or Illinois, you can count on complete legal representation for your railway wreck case from a competent lawyer from our St. Louis law firm. Even if your case involves wrongful death of one or more people, the attorneys are prepared to handle every type of railroad accident case. Contact a FELA attorney today at The Cagle Law Firm in St. Louis today to schedule a free consultation.

To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

May 22-28, 2010 is Safe Boating Week in Missouri as proclaimed by Governor Jay Nixon in preparation for the Memorial Day Weekend and summer season.  About 700 deaths occur in the U.S. due to boat related accidents. Far more minor and catastrophic injuries are a result of boating and Jet Ski accidents as well.  Prevention is the best defense against such injuries and must occur before the boat ever enters the water.  The Missouri State Water Patrol offers several suggestions to keep you safe on the water this boating season:

Take a certified boating education course

Wear your life jackets

Do not consume alcoholic beverages while operating a boat

Be familiar with your boat and the equipment on board

Have a safety check of your boat before beginning the season

In order to get your boat safety inspected, you can contact the Missouri Water Patrol website for future safety inspection locations:  http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetailsbasic.asp?ID=N07100006  Each boat that passes inspection will get a "Wear It Missouri" sticker promoting campaign for life jacket use.

The Handbook of Missouri Boating Laws and Responsibilities is available at http://www.boat-ed.com/mo/handbook/checklist.htm.

Injured in a Boating Accident in St. Louis Area?

If you have suffered an injury in a boating accident or Jet Ski accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, boating and Jet Ski accident victims may be legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another boat operator, or on the part of a company or corporation.  At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a boating, Jet Ski or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

    A Florida man was killed last Thursday night after a violent motorcycle accident. The victim was riding in group of motorcycles when he lost control and hit a light pole. His body was thrown from the motorcycle over an embankment and landed almost 350 feet in a yard below. The motorcycle continued down the highway for another 350-400 feet. It was a particularly gruesome accident as the victim's legs were missing after the impact.  Investigators state that the victim certainly died upon impact; however, they are still investigating the cause of the motorcycle accident and will be interviewing witnesses from the scene. Authorities spent the rest of the night and Friday morning trying to recover everything including evidence that will the of assistance in the investigation.  
    As summer progresses many motorcyclists will take to the highways and side streets and all motorists must constantly be aware of motorcyclist.   As well, motorcyclist must be constantly aware of their surroundings in order to avoid accidents with automobiles and inanimate objects.  Catastrophic injuries can be sustained in a motorcycle accident and sometimes resulting in death.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis?

If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident in or around St. Louis, Missouri, it's in your best interest to consult an attorney at the Cagle Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options. Under Missouri personal injury law, motorcycle accident victims are legally entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by the negligent, reckless, or careless actions of another. This might include negligence on the part of another motorist on the road, or on the part of a company or corporation. For example, if a defect with the motorcycle causes an accident to occur, such as brake failure, the company that manufactured the motorcycle can be held liable for damages. At the Cagle Law Firm, we will thoroughly analyze the circumstances leading up to you or your loved one's accident to determine who is at fault for the accident and thus liable for injuries. From there, we will aggressively pursue a verdict or settlement for maximum compensation. Our goal is to ensure you are justly compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, and any other hardship incurred due to the accident.

Contact the Cagle Law today to speak with an experienced and dedicated St. Louis personal injury lawyer about filing a motorcycle accident or wrongful death claim.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621

    Drowning is the second leading cause of serious injury or death for U.S. children. Nine people drown every day in the US and 75% of the drowning occurs between May and September.  Many steps can be taken to prevent your child from drowning or sustaining a serious injury. Children don't just drown in swimming pool accidents. Children can drown in bath tubs, drainage ditches, and buckets as well. The most reasonable solution to safeguarding your children is by teaching children to swim. However, parents of even the strongest swimmers should gather strategies on safeguarding their children around water as to avoid injuries such astramautic brain injury or spinal cord injuries.

Some general safety rules include:

• Children should never swim alone, even if they know how to swim. Cramps and fatigue can cause an accomplished swimmer to drown.
• Always check the depth of the water before diving in.  Observe "No diving" or "No Swimming" signs
• Swim in areas with a lifeguard, however, pools that are overcrowded can be very dangerous as the chaos can mask the danger.
• If you give your children a flotation device as toy, it should never be a substitute for a PFD (personal flotation device).  Floaties and water wings should never replace the parent.

Some theories suggest that flotation devices should never be given to children so that they can become familiar with the properties of water and learn to swim more efficiently. 

• Do not allow your children to run as decks and concrete patios are often wet and slippery. Slip and falls for children can easily occur that would often seem small, however, children can fall quickly and the fall can result in a serious brain injury.
• It is advised that NO DIVING should ever happen in an above-ground pool.
• Keep a telephone outside close to the pool area, so you will not be tempted to leave the pool area for even a few seconds to answer the phone.
• Keep chairs and tables far away from pool to keep children from accidentally falling in
• Keep toys away from pool area as children can easily fall in trying to access the toys
• Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone
• Keep rescue equipment beside the pool at all times
• Have children start swimming lessons early, but never think that after a few lessons that your child "can swim" or should be left alone to swim
• Completely fence off the pool by using self-closing and safety latch gates.

A  St. Peters man was killed in an auto accident on Interstate 70 when the Dodge Durango he was driving was struck by the wheel of a tractor trailer.  Equipment failure caused the truck to lose two wheels from the rear axle. The wheel struck the front windshield of the victim's  Durango. After the collision, the Durango then traveled to the right and struck the side of a Nissan Altima in oncoming traffic on I-70. The driver of the Nissan was transported via ambulance to a hospital with minor injuries, however, the St. Peters man was pronounced dead at the site.  While this is the first fatality of May, it is the 44^th  highway fatality of the year in the St. Louis area.

No charges have been filed as of yet, however, the family of the victim may have a wrongful death claim. Were you injured or have you lost a loved one because of a defective product or an auto accident?  If so, you may have grounds to a file legal claim for compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, and emotional distress. Contacting an attorney early after the accident is crucial in many instances for thorough investigation. At the Cagle Law Firm,  an experienced St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim.

To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621. 

A plaintiff filed a wrongful death suit last week over the death of her grandson, who was killed while unloading a truck filled with gravel.  In her complaint, she names a truck driver, his employer and the quarry that filled the truck with gravel.

On April 25, the quarry company loaded the driver's truck with a little over 33,000 pounds of gravel.  The driver complained the truck was overloaded, but the company refused to remove the excess.

The driver, an employee for a construction company asked the plaintiff's grandson and one of his friends to help him unload the truck.  In return, he paid them each $5.  While unloading, however, the dump bed became unbalanced and tipped onto the boy killing him instantly.

The suit names the truck driver as directly liable for the boy's death since he both drove the truck and allowed unqualified workers to help him unload.  His employer is also named since the driver was working within the statute of his employment when the accident occurred.  Finally, the quarry could bear some responsibility since they allowed the truck bed to be overfilled, which may have contributed to it tipping over during the unloading process.

This case is a tragic reminder to always take proper safety precautions when dealing with construction equipment and materials.  Accidents do happen, but they are often worse when necessary safety procedures are ignored.  If you were injured on the job or on a construction site, call our offices at Page Cagle in St. Louis today as you may be entitled to compensation.  Our experienced Construction Accident and Workers' Compensation Attorneys are available 24/7 for a free consultation.  Contact us today.

The plaintiffs filed a wrongful death lawsuit this week against a teenager and his parents over the death of their daughter in a November 2008 crash in which the teen was driving.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges the defendant drove recklessly, and his parents were negligent in allowing their son to borrow their vehicle, despite knowing he was an unsafe driver.

At the time of the crash, the defendant was only 16 years old and therefore had a limited driver's license, which prohibited him from having any passengers in his car other than an adult relative.  Furthermore, he had just received a speeding ticket for driving 48 mph in a 25 mph zone only months before. Despite all of this, the suit alleges that the teen's parents allowed him to borrow their pickup truck knowing that he was unfit to safety operate the vehicle.

Police reports indicate the defendant was under the influence of alcohol and was driving 62 mph in a 25 mph zone when he lost control of the truck causing it to roll.  Of the three people in the car, the plaintiffs' daughter was killed and one other teen was injured. 

The defendant pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in February and sentenced to 6 months in youth detention.  He also lost his license until age 21 and will have to complete 500 hours of community service educating youth on the danger of speeding.

The plaintiffs' attorney stated that due to the defendant's criminal conviction in the case, the court has all the evidence necessary to impose civil liability as well.  The suit seeks unspecified damages that include punitive damages on behalf of the victim and her parents.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death among teens, largely due to reckless or negligent behavior on behalf of the driver.  If you have lost a loved one or were injured in a car accident because of another person's actions, you may be entitled to legal compensation.  Contact a knowledgeable Car Accident Attorney today at Page Cagle in St. Louis for your free consultation.

A New York family recently settled a lawsuit for $2 million against a hospital in Brooklyn over the June 2008 death of a woman in the center's emergency room.

The suit alleges negligence on behalf of the city-owned hospital and emergency room staff who made the woman wait for nearly 24 hours for medical attention.  When her condition worsened before receiving her chance to see a doctor, she collapsed on the floor. Shockingly, no one attempted to help her, not even hospital staff who walked by.

A surveillance tape of the incident was released publically, receiving national attention and outrage.

Believing the hospital's high level of negligence was to blame for the woman's death, her family filed a wrongful death suit.  According to the family's attorney, "What remains most important is the criminal culpability for those responsible for what happened and those who attempted to cover it up."

If you have been injured as a result of a negligent or intentional act, call a Wrongful Death Attorney at the law offices of Page Cagle in St. Louis today for your free initial consultation.  We specialize in various types of personal injury cases and are available 24/7 for a free consultation.

Only days before presenting before a jury, the town of Greenwich, CT settled a wrongful death suit for $1.4 million with the parents of a man who died in an apartment fire.

In 2000, firefighters rushed into a fiery apartment building in an attempt to remove anyone trapped inside.  Believing they had removed everyone to safety, the team worked to extinguish the flames.  Hours later, however, the body of the plaintiffs' son was found dead sitting against the inside of his bathroom door.  Autopsy results confirmed he died of smoke inhalation.

The plaintiffs filed their wrongful death suit three years after the incident, claiming that the fire department had been negligent by failing to check inside the bathroom to ensure no one was trapped.  If they had, perhaps their son would have been saved with the other residents.

At first, the defendant's attorney publicly stated he would fight the plaintiffs' claims, saying that the fire fighters "acted appropriately" for the situation and thus held no liability. 

The plaintiff's attorneys, however, were prepared to bring the city Fire Chief to the stand, who had admitted in a prior deposition that the firefighter in question was at fault for not breaking down the bathroom door.  As a result, the defendant settled with the family.

Three other defendants were named, but all three had previously settled.

If the actions or negligence of someone else has caused injury or death to you or someone you know, contact an experienced Wrongful Death Attorney at Page Cagle in St. Louis today for a free initial consultation. 

Although Memorial Day is supposed to be a relaxing holiday weekend, it is also infamously known for fatal car accidents.  The Associated Press released an article this week describing only a few of the fatal crashes that occurred all over the country this weekend. 

One of those tragic crashes occurred in Southern Illinois just after midnight near Keyesport, IL, where a two-vehicle crash took the lives of four people and sent five more to the hospital.  According to the coroner, three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from their vehicles, and one died later at a St. Louis hospital.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Emerald Road and Keyesport Road when a Pontiac Grand Am failed to stop at the stop sign. As a result, it collided with a Cadillac Escalade as it entered the intersection.  The crash caused the SUV to hit a drainage ditch and overturn. 

The Escalade had seven passengers total, three of which were killed.  Every passenger except one was only 21 years old.  The passenger in the Grand Am was also pronounced dead at the scene.

So far no charges have been filed, but police reports did confirm that the driver of the Grand Am was largely at fault for failing to stop at the intersection.  Witnesses, however, put at least some of the group in the SUV at Carlyle Lake earlier that day. 

Accidents such as these remind everyone to always be safe on roadways, especially during busy holiday weekends.  If you or someone you know who was injured because of careless, negligent or reckless driving, do not hesitate to seek legal advice.  At Page Cagle in St. Louis, we can help you sort out the facts in your case and get you the compensation you deserve.  Call a Car Accident Attorney today for a free consultation.

Among the constant string of reported car accidents in the news lately concerning drivers not paying attention due to cell phones or car radios, comes another case in Illinois of driver distraction taking the life of a motorist.

A Lake Zurich resident was killed while stopped at a yellow light on her motorcycle when the woman behind her failed to stop because she was painting her nails.  The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but unfortunately it was not enough to protect her from the force of the crash after flying several hundred feet.  The woman that hit her stopped to help, and she later admitted to police that she did not see her stop since he was looking down at her nails.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 25% of all traffic accidents are caused by these types of distractions when drivers attempt to multi-talk.  From reading and putting on makeup to text messaging and watching movies, highway patrolman have seen it all. 

According to some studies, the most dangerous activity to do while driving is operating the CD player, with dialing and personal grooming coming in close behind. 

The important lesson for motorists is simply this: avoid doing anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or you may end up in Hunt's shoes.  Especially as the warm weather arrives, being conscious of the various road hazzards such as bicycles, motorcycles, and playing children is important to maintaining traffic safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident due to driver negligence due to distracted or reckless driving, call the experienced Auto Accident Attorneys at Page Cagle in St. Louis today for a free consultation.

A plaintiff recently filed a wrongful death suit in Madison County over the death of her husband, who was killed in a fire while visiting a friend at his home.

The defendant started a bonfire in his backyard that was too close to his home.  When his home caught fire, the plaintiff's husband was trapped and killed inside.

According to the suit, the plaintiff alleges that her husband's death was a direct result of the defendant's negligence to warn her husband of the fire, failure to comply with fire safety codes and for allowing guests to enter his home under unsafe conditions.

As a result of the fire, the plaintiff alleges her husband suffered conscious pain, emotional distress and smoke inhalation before his death.  Furthermore, his children have suffered grief and mental suffering, as well as a loss of society and support.  Finally, the plaintiff incurred medical and funeral expenses.

In the four-count suit, plaintiff seeks a judgment in excess of $200,000 plus costs.

If you sustained an injury while on someone else's property, and the cause of that injury was due to unsafe, hazardous conditions or owner negligence, you may be entitled to a legal claim.  The Premises Liability Attorneys at Page Cagle, a premier St. Louis personal injury firm, have the experience and know-how to successfully litigate your case, and we are available 24/7 for a free consultation.  Call us today!

Elizabeth Jackson filed suit this week, alleging that a multi-car accident caused by David Jack and Brian DeAngelis left her with severe injuries that affect her daily life.

In November 2008, DeAngelis, who was working for KD Express at the time, rear-ended Jack while driving an International Ha Trucktractor in the northbound lanes of I-57.  Jack was driving a Chevy Impala, and crossed the median into the southbound lanes where he then crashed into Jackson's Dodge Charger.  Jack died as a result of his injuries.

In her three-count suit, Jackson alleges that DeAngelis was negligent in failing to reduce his speed and by striking Jack's car.  She also claims that Jack was negligent by traveling below the posted minimum speed limit.

Jackson says she suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement, as well as an inability to attend to her usual duties.  She also seeks compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

If you have been involved in an auto accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to a legal claim to collect compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages and more.  Call one of our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation.  At Page Cagle, we fight aggressively to ensure that our clients get the attention and compensation they deserve.  Contact us today to begin building your case.

The parents of an Illinois student filed a wrongful death suit last month against a school district and its superintendent, claiming that the administrator's threats toward the student over a missing master key to the school tormented him into committing suicide.

According to the suit, while the plaintiffs' son was a sophomore at the high school, he was accused of having a missing master key to school grounds.  The defendant allegedly threatened him with felony charges, jail, expulsion and fines to get him to confess information.

After a third interrogation last October, the defendant suspended the boy after he admitted to a role in taking the key.  He claimed, however, he no longer had access to the property, but the defendant did not believe him.  According to reports, the defendant then screamed in the boy's face as he pounded his fists on his desk and kicked a trash can across the room.  He claimed other students said the student participated in a break in at the concession stand and planned to call the police. 

The suit stated that while attempting to attain a confession, he said the boy was "a liar" and "worthless." The day after this interrogation, the plaintiffs' son shot himself at home and died.

Although their son was not the only student interrogated, the plaintiffs believe that the suicide was a direct result of defendant's "extreme and outrageous" conduct over the missing key.  His actions caused their son, "severe emotional distress," and the interrogations violated school policy since his parents were not present.

If you believe that another person's intentional or negligent acts caused the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to a wrongful death claim.  Call our offices today and speak with one of our premier personal injury attorneys.

A construction accident along Highway 65 this week took the life of a 53-year-old Missouri resident.

The victim was standing next to a tractor-trailer when the semi began to pull forward.  At that point, he fell under the wheels of the trailer and was run over.  He died at the scene.

After investigation, a patrol reconstruction team stated that the truck appeared to be moving in order to move equipment.

If you have been injured in a construction accident, call our premier personal injury attorneys at Page Cagle in St. Louis today.  Our experience and know-how makes us the best choice when looking for help with a legal claim.  Contact us today for a free consultation.

Over the weekend, a tragic accident in Phoenix involving a Cadillac sedan and a semi-truck took the lives of three people, two adults and a one-year-old, when the truck driver failed to stop at a traffic light at an intersection 

According to the Phoenix Police Department, when the truck went through the intersection, it T-boned the Cadillac, killing the front-seat passenger and the one-year-old girl in the backseat upon impact.  The driver and the other passenger were taken to the hospital immediately, but the driver did not survive.  Currently, the female passenger remains in critical care.

According to preliminary reports, the driver was not impaired and criminal charges have not yet been filed.

Collisions involving semi-trucks are among the most dangerous car accidents on the road today, often resulting in major damages and even death.  If you or a loved one has been injured because of a truck driver's error or reckless driving, you may be entitled to a claim.  Call our premier St. Louis Truck Accident attorneys at Page Cagle today for your free consultation.

In 1995, a tragic fire erupted at the Blue Island, IL oil refinery and took the lives of two mechanics, Michael Forsythe and Gary Szabla.  This month, after fourteen years of litigating a wrongful death suit, their families finally received closure with a $12 million settlement with Clark USA.

At the time of their deaths, Forsythe and Szabla worked as maintenance mechanics for Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc. at the Blue Island oil refinery in the suburbs of Chicago.  In March 1995, a fire erupted at the refinery while the two men were on their lunch break.  After investigation, authorities concluded that the fire was caused by other refinery operators who were performing maintenance work on a pipe without making sure that the flammable materials inside it had been depressurized. 

Because the accident was caused by a co-worker's error, Clark Refinery was held responsible for the men's deaths.  As a result, Clark Refinery paid out worker's compensation benefits and the families filed wrongful death suits against Clark USA.  The suit alleged that the refinery's focus on reducing costs in order to increase revenue left less funding available for training, maintenance, supervision and safety, a decision that resulted in many maintenance workers being insufficiently trained to work on equipment.

When an employee is injured on the job due to another worker's error or negligence on behalf of the company, that worker is entitled to legal compensation.  If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one under such circumstances, please call an experienced personal injury attorney at Page Cagle today to discuss your options.  We are available 24/7 for a free consultation.

After years of litigation, the Pippenger family finally came to a settlement with Laidlaw, Inc., now First Student.

In December 2005, Brandon Pippenger, age 13, crossed the street to try and catch the morning bus to school.  Running late, he ran alongside it, waving his hand to get the driver's attention.  According to company regulation, buses are supposed to stop no less than 100 feet from a corner.  That morning, not only did the driver not check his mirrors but he also turned the corner without stopping.  Not seeing Brandon, the bus ran him over as it turned.

Brandon's mother Patty watched the whole thing in horror.  To this day, all she wanted was for Laidlaw to admit their responsibility for what happened.

The case would have ended last March, but the court ordered that the two parties settle out of court.  Confronted with all the facts pointing toward the driver's fault in the tragedy, Laidlaw finally agreed to settle with the family for $1.2 million.

"From the start, we wanted people to know that Brandon did not cause his own death.  He did not slip and fall under the bus," says Pippenger of Laidlaw's defense in the case.  With the settlement, it was made clear that the driver's error was the real cause for Brandon's death. 

If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you may have a wrongful death claim.  Call our experienced Wrongful Death attorneys today to discuss your options in a free consultation.  Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may have a limited amount of time to file, so do not hesitate to contact legal representation.

King County officials settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Michael Dahlquist over a 2008 accident involving a Metro bus for $1.5 million.

Dahlquist, age 21, was driving his pick-up truck on Highway 164 when a Metro bus driver apparently swerved to avoid another vehicle and hit Dahlquist's truck.  Police investigation of the fatal crash showed that the bus driver may have been speeding.

Dahlquist's family filed suit against the county claiming that the driver's negligent driving was the reason for their son's death.  The family's attorney filed documents alleging that the driver had a history of accidents, thus claiming that the King County Transit Agency was negligent as it allowed the driver to continue working. 

Auto accidents involving large vehicles like buses or trucks often result in heavy damages or even death.  If you have been injured in an auto accident, do not hesitate to call our offices and speak with a member of our legal team.  We handle all types of auto accidents from cars to big rigs, both in Missouri and Illinois.  Contact us today for a free consultation.

At the end of last month, prosecutors filed charges against Brenda Jean Caringer, a babysitter from Willard, MO, for the murder of 9-month-old Lucas Payton Theede-Bennett.  The infant's parents subsequently filed a wrongful death suit this month a