$2.5 Million Cedar County Jury Verdict: Success in High-Stakes Collision Litigation

By The Cagle Law Firm | September 8, 2025 |

Cedar County Jury Finds $2.5 Million for Plaintiff

The Cagle Law Firm recently secured a $2,500,000 jury verdict in Cedar County, Missouri, for our client, Jose Cabrales. This case, Jose Cabrales v. Estate of Jamie Kirch, involved a complex motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Routes T and U in Barton County. Despite a change of venue to Cedar County and aggressive defense tactics, our trial team ensured the negligent party was held 100% liable in a crash on December 7, 2021.

Case Background Subsequent to filing the lawsuit Plaintiffs moved for a change of venue and the matter was transferred to Cedar County.  The collision took place at the intersection of Routes T and U in Barton County, Missouri. The defendant’s van failed to yield the right of way and pulled into the path of the plaintiff’s northbound vehicle. The driver of the van was killed in the crash, and her three passengers, including two children, were taken to the hospital. The plaintiff, Jose Cabrales, was also transported to the hospital with a neck injury, bruises, and lacerations.

Our Strategic Approach:

• Accident Reconstruction: We utilized Missouri State Highway Patrol data to prove that while our client was traveling 8 mph over the limit, the defendant’s failure to yield was the primary cause of the crash.

• Focus on “Loss of Normal Life”: Rather than submitting medical bills, we focused the jury’s attention on the profound impact of a cervical disc replacement surgery and the permanent loss of our client’s quality of life.

• Expert Testimony: We presented high-level medical and reconstruction experts to provide the jury with the technical clarity needed to find for the plaintiff.

Plaintiff’s Injuries and Damages Following the crash, Mr. Cabrales was hospitalized and later underwent a cervical disc replacement surgery nearly two (2) years after the collision. He had a pre-existing low- back injury, which defense counsel argued meant Defendant was not responsible for his injuries. Furthermore, Defendant argued that Plaintiff’s medical records consistently stated he had chronic neck pain prior to the motor vehicle collision.  Plaintiff’s counsel did not submit any past or future medical bills, past or future wage loss claims, to the jury. Instead, the plaintiff argued Mr. Cabrales past and future pain and suffering and loss of a normal life.  As well, Mr. Cabrales wife made a loss of consortium claim due to the permanent nature of Mr. Cabrales injuries.

Pre-Trial and Trial Details The insurance carrier for the defendant was Progressive Insurance. Prior to the trial, Progressive made an offer of $50,000 to resolve all claims, which the plaintiff rejected. The trial was held before a jury, presided over by the Honorable David R. Munton. The defendant was represented by George R. Lewis and Christopher Harper of Franke Schultz & Mullen.

The plaintiff’s expert witnesses included Dr. Byron H. Willis, a treating surgeon, and Michael Eden, a reconstructionist from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The defense did not provide any expert testimony to support claims of shared fault or medical opinions. The defense argued that the plaintiff failed to reduce his speed and was also at fault for the collision and suggested the jury find Plaintiff between 50% and 75% at fault.

Verdict After a three-day trial, a Cedar County jury found in favor of the plaintiff. Nine of the twelve jurors agreed to the $2.5 million verdict. The jury did not find for the plaintiff’s wife.

Zane T. Cagle and Andrew G. Mundwiller, The Cagle Law Firm legal team are both members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and long-time members of Super Lawyers.  Our firm considers it a privilegeto represent those seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes across the state of Missouri. Call us toll free 1(800) 685-3302 or locally (314) 276-1681 for a free case evaluation.

Related Articles:

Attorneys secure $2.5M win in vehicle collision that left defendant dead. Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 10/14/25

El Dorado Springs Sun, Newsroom 9/10/25

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