Blog

Feb 28, 2025 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

According to statistics from the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths on the roadways of the United States, there are, on average, more than 36,000 motor vehicle accidents every day.  That’s over 13 million annually. While many accidents are minor in nature and don’t cause injuries that require medical attention, in more than 1 out of 4 car accidents, someone ends up in the emergency room. 

Jan 31, 2025 - Wrongful Death by Cross & Smith

It’s hard to imagine anything worse than losing a loved one. Fortunately, the State of Alabama has a law that provides the opportunity for a loved one to receive compensation for a wrongful death. Here are ten important facts to understand about wrongful death in Alabama. What is a Wrongful Death Action? Alabama law defines a “wrongful death” as one that is caused by the “wrongful act, omission, or negligence” of another. In other words, a wrongful death occurs when one person dies as a result of the legal fault of another person or entity, including by: A negligent act of another, such as a car accident caused by distracted driving,  Medical malpractice, or An intentional act, which could be a crime or some other intentional act, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol   Alabama law requires the personal representative to file the wrongful death case in the county where the decedent could have filed their personal injury lawsuit had they survived. Who Can Take Advantage of the Wrongful Death Statute?  Unlike other types of personal injury cases, a wrongful death case involves a fatality. Thus, since that person is no longer able to file for compensation from the party that caused the injury, another party must step in to seek redress on his or her behalf. Under Alabama law, the party who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit depends upon whether the decedent was an adult or a minor at the time of death. Adult Decedents […]

Dec 31, 2024 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

Personal injury is a legal cause of action based on tort law. It allows plaintiffs to recover for the injuries they suffered due to the negligence or willful or intentional misconduct of the defendant or defendants. Personal injury in Alabama includes such things as medical malpractice, vehicle accidents, swimming pool injuries, and other accidents or injuries related to you and your body. 

Nov 29, 2024 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

What if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, car accident, swimming pool injury, or some other accident that was caused by the negligence of another? Can you represent yourself in Alabama? The short answer is yes, but most people with experience in the law don’t recommend it. Nearly all attorneys who represent harmed individuals in an Alabama personal injury case work on a contingency fee, which means you won’t owe them any fees unless you win your case.

Oct 31, 2024 - Bus Accidents by Cross & Smith

In the United States, we rely upon buses to transport people within our cities and towns, to perform long-distance transportation, and to carry children to and from school.  Each year, it’s estimated that up to 700 million people travel by bus. These bus passengers and their families have a reasonable expectation that they will safely arrive at their destinations. The term “bus” refers to large private and public vehicles that transport passengers for a fee. In Alabama, this includes:

Sep 30, 2024 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

Alabama football is a way of life in Tuscaloosa. With the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide commanding the respect of those following the college football scene, game days bring tens of thousands of fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium and the surrounding areas. While these events are thrilling, they can also be chaotic. From packed parking lots to rowdy tailgates and crowded stadium seating, the potential for accidents and injuries is high.

Aug 30, 2024 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

Premises liability is a type of law that arises out of personal injury claims arising from accidents and injuries occurring on another’s property. If you’ve had an accident from a slip and fall in a hardware store, from tripping over an obstruction in the stadium bathroom, or from falling down the post office stairs due to broken stones, you may have a premises liability case. 

Jul 31, 2024 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a beautiful and historic city with a tight-knit community, but it is not exempt from having issues with pedestrian safety. With more and more people and cars hitting the road, it has become increasingly dangerous for pedestrians. Understanding the local safety concerns and pedestrians’ rights to pursue legal recourse in the event of an accident is paramount in helping to create safer communities and ensuring that victims are fairly compensated for losses. Below, our Tuscaloosa injury attorney discusses what you need to know to stay safe as you move throughout the city.

Jun 28, 2024 - Defective Medical Devices by Cross & Smith

Medical devices play a crucial role in diagnosing, preventing, and treating various health conditions. However, when these devices are defective, they can cause severe harm, leading to physical, emotional, and financial distress. Understanding your legal rights is essential if you or a loved one has been affected by a defective medical device. Here’s an overview of the legal landscape surrounding defective medical devices, including types of defects, liability, and steps to take if you are affected.

May 31, 2024 - Truck Accidents by Cross & Smith

According to TRIP, a National Transportation Research Nonprofit, in 2022, Alabama’s freight system moved 590 million tons of freight, valued at $448 billion. The TRIP report also found that 15 percent of travel on Alabama’s Interstate highways and 20 percent of travel on its rural Interstate highways is by combination trucks.