St. Louis Speeding Accident Lawyer

Speeding remains one of the primary causes of catastrophic motor vehicle collisions in St. Louis. When a driver chooses to exceed the posted limit or travel too fast for road conditions on I-64, I-70, or local city streets, they are not just breaking the law—they are being negligent.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a speeding driver, you might have a personal injury claim, in which case a car accident lawyer in St. Louis may be able to help.

Call The Cagle Law Firm today if you’ve been injured in a speeding accident and need legal representation. Reach us toll-free at (1-800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681.

Why Speeding Accidents in Missouri are Unique

In Missouri, speeding isn’t just about a speedometer reading. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 304.012, every driver is required to exercise the “highest degree of care” and drive at a speed that is “careful and prudent.”

• Excessive Speed: Driving well above the limit, common on the inner-belt and outer-belt highways. Speeding is too common on I-70, I-270, I-55 and Interstate 64/40.

• Inappropriate Speed: Driving at the speed limit during heavy rain or snow, which can still constitute negligence. Drivers are required to maintain control of their vehicles, inclement weather requires drivers slow down to below the legal speed limit at times.

• The Impact of Force: Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and exponentially increase the force of impact, often leading to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal damage.

Speeding is a Major Factor

In 2023, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety examined fatal crash numbers for the entire state. Roughly 41% of all fatal crashes in the state involve speeding. Specifically, in 2019, 19,516 total speed-related crashes, 2,995 injures and 395 fatalities.  As of 2023 (most recent data), Missouri ranks 4th in the US for fatal accidents involving speeding or racing.  St Louis is the most high risk area in the state between 2022 -2024 with 10,694 crashes and Jackson County was the second highest in speed-related crashes at 6,560 collisions.  According to MoDOT, approximately 36% of all traffic fatalities in Missouri involve excessive speed–the most common factor in Missouri roadway fatalities

Drivers between the ages of 15-20 suffer disproportionally higher fatality rates due to inexperince and a disregard for traffic laws.  Prevention of many of these crashes is better driver attention.  The preventable deaths of young people are especailly jarring to families and the community at large.

Proving Liability in a Speeding Collision

Proving that the other party was speeding requires more than just your testimony. Our legal team utilizes:

1. Black Box (EDR) Data: Modern vehicles record speed and braking data seconds before impact.

2. Accident Reconstruction: We work with engineers to calculate speed based on skid marks and vehicle displacement.

3. Witness Statements & Video: Canvassing for dashcam or “Ring” doorbell footage from St. Louis neighborhoods.

Criminal Classification of Speeding

Missouri does not treat all speeding as a simple infraction. Depending on the speed and frequency, it is categorized under the following misdemeanor classes:

• Class C Misdemeanor (6–19 mph over): Carries a potential penalty of up to 15 days in jail and fines up to $750.
• Class B Misdemeanor (20+ mph over): This is the most common “criminal” speeding charge. It carries up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Careless and Prudent Driving (RSMo § 304.012): If your speeding is deemed dangerous (regardless of the exact mph), you can be charged with this Class B misdemeanor. If an accident is involved, it is elevated to a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Long-Term Civil and Professional Consequences

If you’ve been injured as a result of a speeding driver, contact a an expert car accident lawyer at The Cagle Law Firm in St. Louis at (314) 276-1681. Our personal injury lawyers are here to help you.

Why Choose The Cagle Law Firm to Help After Your Car Accident?

Familiarity with the “City vs. County” Dynamic

In St. Louis, where you file can be as important as what happened. An expert lawyer will understand the strategic differences between:

• The 22nd Judicial Circuit (St. Louis City): Historically known as a “plaintiff-friendly” venue. It has frequently appeared on “Judicial Hellhole” lists due to a reputation for large jury awards (nuclear verdicts).

• The 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County/Clayton): Generally perceived as more conservative.

• Legal Insight: If your accident happened on the border (e.g., near Skinker Blvd or Dogtown), your lawyer must be able to navigate “venue shopping” rules to ensure your case is heard in the most favorable jurisdiction allowed by law.  Whether the particular court you are in has a reputation of conservative or large verdicts, your case is unique.  Your case is always evaluated on the facts of the crash, your specific injuries and your unique story.  The civil process involving juries is different every time.  Jurors are not usually thinking about their county’s “reputation” on verdicts.  Our attorneys have suceeded in securing record verdicts in some counties emphasizing the strength of the case is the client and how we prepare.

Deep Knowledge of Missouri-Specific Laws

Missouri has several legal doctrines that can make or break a car accident claim. Your lawyer should be an expert in:

• Pure Comparative Fault: Missouri allows you to recover damages even if you were 99% at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. A top lawyer will fight to keep your fault percentage as low as possible.
• The “Seatbelt Gag Rule” (RSMo § 307.178): In Missouri, evidence that a plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt is generally inadmissible to prove comparative negligence in a civil trial (with very narrow exceptions). An attorney who knows how to leverage this can protect your claim from being devalued by insurance adjusters.
• Statute of Limitations: Missouri has a generous five-year window for personal injury, but a savvy lawyer knows that evidence on I-70 or I-64 disappears in days.

Highway-Specific Experience

St. Louis is a hub for major interstates (I-70, I-64, I-44, and I-55). Accidents on these roads often involve:

• Commercial Trucking: If your accident involved a tractor-trailer, you need a lawyer who understands Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.

• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: These require a firm with the financial resources to hire accident reconstruction experts to untangle liability among multiple drivers.

Trial Readiness (The “Litigation Signal”)

Many “settlement mill” firms take a high volume of cases and settle them quickly for whatever the insurance company offers.

• The Insurance Secret: Insurance companies keep databases on law firms. If they know a firm never goes to trial, they will consistently low-ball their offers.

• What to Look For: Ask for recent jury verdict results, not just settlements. A lawyer who is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum or has a “Board Certified” status usually signals to insurers that they aren’t afraid of a courtroom.  See our Case Results.  Not every case goes to trial, but The Cagle Law Firm is known as a firm that aggressively advocates and pushes for litigation to set pace and maximize results.

Each Case is All About the Client

Each client of ours has been through an ordeal and seriously injured. Every person has different needs whether they are medical or communication preferences.  Our attorneys are litigators and our firm is not a settlement mill.  Ultimately, each client owns their own case and we do what is the best interest of our client.  Sometimes, we are all in for litigating a case but an insurance company comes up with a fair offer–it is always about our clients

Recent Related Blog Posts:

• How to deal with an insurance adjuster after a car accident.
• What if I’m injured as a passenger in a St. Louis car accident?
• What if the at-fault driver in my St. Louis crash has no auto insurance?

Author, Zane T. Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm has practiced in the greater metro St. Louis area for over two decades. Our team including Andrew G. Mundwiller is responsible for large verdicts in Missouri and Illinois for most deserving clients.  If you’ve been hurt, you want a battle proven attorney handling your case.