Negligence is a term you may hear often when it comes to personal injury claims. If you’ve suffered an injury and someone else caused it, you may want to make them pay for the losses you’ve endured. Yet, to do that, you must prove negligence occurred. Understanding what this means is essential. At The Cagle Law Firm, our team works closely with you to gain perspective on what occurred, why it happened, and whether or not someone else is negligent. What Is Negligence? Most personal injury cases come down to fault, which legally is referred to as negligence. However, negligence is not a simplist ..read more

When Fatigued Driving Becomes Dangerous Drowsy or fatigued driving is as dangerous, or in comes cases, more dangerous than drunk driving. Driving after being awake for 18 hours straight is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.05. After being awake for 24 hours straight, it is like driving with a BAC of 0.10. In all states, a driver with a BAC of 0.08 is considered driving while drunk. Fatigued drivers and drunk drivers both have impaired cognitive functioning, slow reaction time, and impaired judgment. There are signs you can look for that indicate a driver may b ..read more

Imagine waking up one morning. Everything goes as it usually does. You walk to your car for your drive to work. You get in, fasten your seat belt, and are on your way. The next thing you know, you are waking up in a hospital, unable to feel or move your arms and legs. A doctor comes in and tells you that you were in a car accident and have suffered a spinal cord injury. Your condition will be closely monitored to see if you regain any feeling or movement in your limbs. Soon, you will realize your life has changed forever. Your family members will also experience a dramatic change in their dail ..read more

It has been reported by AAA Foundation for Safety that teen driving accidents increase significantly from June 1st – Labor Day. Events such as graduation and summer break festivities all play a factor in the number of teen car accidents, but statistics indicate that distracted driving and more teenagers in the car at one time are the primary cause of these accidents. Texas Teen Driver Statistics The Texas Department of Transportation’s C.R.I.S. Query database captures information regarding all car accidents in the state. Crash statics of the number of Texas teen drivers who were under 21 years ..read more

In 2015, 2,333 teens aged 16-19 were killed, and 221,313 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes, the Centers for Disease Control reports.  That means that six teens age 16-19 died every day in motor vehicle collisions in 2015. Cellphones and Distracted Driving Studies Government researchers recently conducted a study to analyze and compare the use of cell phones while driving by teenagers and adults.  The sample of teens performed remarkably well using the cell phone while driving: they were able to dial numbers, answer the phone, sen ..read more

The Republic of Texas (ROT) Bike Rally has been an annual summer tradition in Austin since 1995. More than 40,000 participants and more than 200,000 spectators from all over the country flock to the city for a weekend of fun. The four days of fun are anticipated all year long. It also provides a great economic boon for Austin and the surrounding areas. Despite the fact that the ROT Bike Rally does create an influx of traffic, there are a number of concerning incidents associated with the event. Anytime there is a large gathering of people, and alcohol is added to the mix, there is an increased ..read more

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts and airbags have reduced the number of casualties resulting from traumatic car accidents over the past ten years. Car accidents that previously took lives are now more likely to cause debilitating lower extremity injuries, including MCL, ACL, and meniscus injuries. Knee injuries account for as much as 40% of hospital charges post-accident. The Impact of Knee Injuries from a Car Accident The long-term impact of disabling lower extremity injury extends well beyond the initial pain and trauma. As a matter of fact ..read more

Unless you maintain a liability-only policy, chances are you carry personal injury protection, or “PIP.” PIP coverage can help you pay  medical bills while you focus on recovering from accident injuries. Many people do not know they have PIP until they consult with us and we review their insurance policies. Here is what you need to know about PIP coverage and how it will help you after an accident. What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)? PIP covers injuries you sustain while operating or riding in your vehicle. It also covers guest passengers and family members who were involved in the ..read more

Whiplash is a common yet underestimated accident injury. Many clients report never seeing a doctor after a car accident because it was “just whiplash.” Yet, whiplash causes immediate pain and places you at risk of long term conditions and increased vulnerability to injury. Here are answers to frequent questions about whiplash that show why you should take this condition seriously. What Is Whiplash? Also called neck strain, whiplash occurs when the neck or spine is jerked forward and then suddenly snaps back. While often associated with car accidents, it can also occur due to blunt force trauma ..read more

Pedestrian accidents are not uncommon. The weight, speed, and force of a vehicle hitting a person can be intense. And, it often results in serious injuries or loss of life. The statistics are alarming. In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 5,376 pedestrians were killed in accidents involving vehicles. That year, there were 476 such incidents in Texas alone. Texas, ranks third, behind California and Florida, in the number of pedestrian/vehicle fatalities. Here in Austin, the risks are high. Individuals who head out for a walk after dinner or perhaps to a local park fo ..read more