California Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

California has some of the most dangerous cities for driving. Over 3,000 Californians die each year as a result of traffic accidents. And while some California car accidents might only result in minor damages, many more are often devastating.

Unfortunately, when a severe accident does occur, it can lead to heavy financial burdens, life-altering injuries, and even death. One such injury that can drastically impact a person’s life is a spinal cord injury.

Damage to the spinal cord often requires expensive treatments and ongoing care. In many cases, people who suffer from a spinal cord injury never fully recover, resulting in a loss of quality of life and an inability to work or perform certain activities.

Have You Suffered From A Spinal Cord Injury After a Car Accident? You Deserve Full and Fair Compensation!

Thus, the impact a spinal cord injury can have on a person’s life is often devastating and even traumatizing. People who suffer from these injuries not only have physical impairments but might also develop emotional trauma from the accident and their situation, such as PTSD and depression.

This is why it is crucial to work with an attorney when you file a personal injury claim. An injury claim can help you recover compensation, but victims are not always awarded the settlement they deserve. And if you suffer from a spinal cord injury, you deserve much more than what the average personal injury claim provides.

With an attorney on your side, you are more likely to win your case and prove to the insurance company or court that you deserve more than is typically awarded for your devastating and potentially catastrophic injury.

At Sally Morin, our compassionate team is dedicated to helping people who have been seriously injured in car accidents. We can help you secure a high-value settlement that is enough to cover your damages using our years of experience.

Don’t hesitate. Reach out to our legal team today for a free case evaluation.

What Kind of Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

An estimated 294,000 people are living with spinal cord injuries in the United States, with over 17,000 new cases emerging each year. Unfortunately, even if a spinal cord injury does not lead to death, it can still drastically alter a person’s quality of life.

While a spinal cord injury can result from various kinds of incidents, motor vehicle collisions remain the number one cause year after year. And with California being one of the most dangerous states for car accidents, this means that a significant number of California residents likely suffer from spinal cord injuries.

As a whole, the breakdown of causes of spinal cord injuries are as follows:

38.6% Vehicle Accidents
32.2% Falls
14% Violence and Assault
7.8% Sporting Accidents
4.2% Medical/Surgical Errors
3.2% Other

California Car Accident Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are complicated; thus, there is no one specific type of spinal cord injury. Instead, the injury is broken down into multiple categories depending on what area of the spinal cord was affected and to what extent the spinal cord was damaged

First, after a person suffers from a spinal cord injury, the injury will be classified in one of two ways:

Complete. A complete spinal cord injury means the victim has lost all feeling and motor function below where the spinal cord is injured.
Incomplete. An incomplete injury means the victim still has partial sensation or control below the area of the spinal cord that is affected.

After initial classification, the injury will be further identified based on the specific area that was damaged:

Cervical – head and neck
Thoracic – upper chest, mid-back, and abdomen
Lumbar – lower back
Sacral – pelvis and tailbone

Once a spinal cord injury is determined to be complete or incomplete, and the affected area is identified, it will then be further classified based on levels of severity concerning movement and sensation:

Level C1-3 – total paralysis of the trunk, arms, and legs
Level C4 – full-body paralysis with some neck and shoulder movement
Level C5 – partial or total paralysis with some arm movement
Level C6 – paralysis in hands, trunk, and legs
Level C7/8 – paralysis of trunk and legs with greater arm and hand function
Level T1-5 – lower trunk paralysis
Level T6-12 – leg paralysis
Level L1-S15 – partial paralysis in hips and legs with little to no control over bowel/bladder function

Signs You May Be Suffering From a Spinal Cord Injury After a Car Accident

The signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary just as the injury itself can. Each person’s situation will be unique depending on the area that was affected and how severe the injury is. Still, there is a general list of symptoms that can indicate that a person is suffering from spinal cord damage:

Loss of motor control
Loss of sensation
Loss of bowel/bladder control
Body spasms
Stinging and tingling sensations
Sexual dysfunction
Trouble breathing
Numbness or weakness
Severe pain in the head, neck, or back
Trouble walking
Loss of balance and coordination

Complications That Can Arise From Spinal Cord Injuries After an Accident

Spinal cord injuries should not be taken lightly. If you suspect you are suffering from a spinal cord injury after an accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. While some spinal cord injuries can be treated and potentially cured, the longer they go untreated, the more likely you are to sustain further damage, which can lead to complications. And even when a victim seeks emergency medical treatment, it is still possible for there to be permanent damage and life-long complications.

Those who suffer from spinal cord injuries can suffer long-term complications such as:

Complete loss of bowel and bladder control
Circulatory issues, which can cause swelling, pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis, and spikes in blood pressure
Respiratory issues, which can affect breathing and lead to lung problems
Loss of skin sensation, such as the ability to feel hot, cold, or pressure
Development of skin sores from being unable to move
Muscle atrophy
Low bone density
Loss of sexual function and fertility issues
Chronic pain
Depression

How a Spinal Cord Injury Can Affect Your Life

As a whole, spinal cord injuries can severely impact your finances, physical health, mental health, and relationships. Not only are initial treatments and surgeries for spinal cord injuries expensive, but a person suffering from spinal cord damage may also require expensive long-term care. And because the injury can severely affect physical abilities, it can also result in the inability to work and earn an income.

Physically, a spinal cord injury can affect your daily life in so many ways. Simple tasks and activities you were once able to easily enjoy might now be inaccessible to you. And while some people can regain some mobility and strength with the help of rehabilitation and physical therapy, others who are more severely impacted might not have much mobility at all.

The trauma of being injured so severely and having to live with limitations can also have a significant impact on your mental health. Many people who suffer from spinal cord damage can struggle to come to terms with their new situation and can develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Spinal cord injuries can also affect your personal relationships. Romantic relationships can struggle due to the loss of sexual function, or they may simply fall apart because one partner cannot handle the stress of caring for the injured victim or dealing with their potential depression and negative moods. This can also impact friendships and family, such as siblings, parents, or children.

How is Fault Determined for a Spinal Cord Injury After a California Car Accident?

After an accident, many factors can play a role in how your case will turn out and in determining who was at fault. California is a comparative negligence state, which means fault can be split among multiple parties, including you as the injured victim. So if you file a personal injury claim and share in the liability, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Factors that can help determine fault and play a role in your accident case can include:

The location of where the accident and injury occurred
Which laws were broken, if any
Police reports
Civilian witness testimonies
Expert witness testimonies
Evidence of damaged vehicles or equipment that was involved
Available video footage from people, homes, and businesses
Photographic evidence taken at the scene with a camera or cell phone

Seeking Compensation for Your California Spinal Cord Car Accident Injury

When a personal injury claim is initially filed, there is no way to determine how much the victim will recover. This is because each situation is unique and personal injuries are not awarded set amounts. Instead, similar to determining fault, various factors will play a part in how much money you will receive in the settlement.

These factors, which are also known as damages, will help insurance companies or the court determine how much a victim deserves to be awarded. Such damages include:

Medical expenses, such as initial treatments, medications, support and assistance, equipment and devices, and the cost of ongoing care
Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if the victim is out of work while recovering and potentially unable to return to work in the future
Cost of lost or damaged property, such as car repairs
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Reduced quality of life
Loss of consortium

What to Do After a California Car Accident Spinal Cord Injury?

Following an accident that results in a spinal cord injury, there are six main things you should do as a victim to build a strong case and ensure you get the compensation you deserve:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The sooner you get your injuries checked out, the better. Immediate medical attention is crucial to your health and wellbeing, but you will also need medical evidence to show proof of your injuries to support your case.

2. Collect Evidence

The evidence provided in a personal injury case after an accident is vital. You will need as much evidence as possible to prove what happened and who was at fault. This can include:

Photos of the accident scene as a whole
Photos of injuries
Photos of car damage
Photos or car marks on the road and other road conditions that may have contributed to the accident
Video footage of the accident
Witness statements and contact information

3. File a Claim

After the accident, you will want to contact your insurance company to get a claim started as soon as possible. However, you should be mindful not to say anything that could be used against you, such as admitting fault. It’s best to just focus on the basics, such as name, contact information, and the basics of what happened.

4. Avoid Posting on Social Media

While some people generally use social media to stay connected with friends and loved ones, it is a bad idea to post openly about your accident and what happened. Anything you say or post could be used against you by the guilty party’s insurance company.

5. Don’t Give Recorded Statements

It is fairly common for insurance companies to use tactics to convince injured victims into giving up information that could be used against them. They are always looking for ways to deny claims or reduce settlement amounts. So no matter what an insurance adjuster says to you, do not allow them to record your conversations, do not admit to fault or apologize, and do not downplay your injuries.

6. Hire a California Personal Injury Attorney

After an accident, it is always best to consult with an attorney before talking to insurance companies or anyone else. Beyond sharing the basics, there is a lot that could be used against you if you are not careful, and it’s also easy for other mistakes to be made that can negatively affect your claim.

With an attorney on your side, however, they can guide you through the process to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. They will help you file your claim, gather evidence, handle paperwork, and instruct you on how to speak with those involved.

Overall, working with an attorney means you are more likely to win your case and get the settlement you deserve.

Contact a Qualified California Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Hire The Best Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in San Francisco, CA

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that demands more than just a general lawyer—it requires a specialist. To Hire The Best Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in San Francisco, CA, you need a team that understands the staggering costs of long-term paralysis, nerve damage, and intensive rehabilitation.

At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our all-female legal team focuses on high-stakes traffic accidents that result in catastrophic injuries. We cut through the insurance company’s “delay and deny” tactics to secure the multi-million dollar settlements required for lifelong care. We handle the complex medical evidence and expert testimony so you can focus on your recovery.

After a spinal cord injury in a car accident, consult with the attorneys at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We truly care about the people of California. Contact us today for a free online case evaluation or call (415) 413-0033..

Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers

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Karen johnson

2 years ago

When I got into my accident I was really not looking for an attorney, however I became frustrated with the other parties insurance company. I then went online and found Sally Morin Law and called for a free courtesy consult. Annie quickly called me back and spent 30 minutes explaining the attorney process. This made my decision easy,,, an All female attorney group certainly did not disappoint. Annie and her team (Amber) were on the case immediately, making calls, sending emails and dealing with the other party insured (or lack of insured). I’m so pleased to have had this incredible team of ladies to help me through this process. They did all their professional expertise, none of which I was capable of. They advocated for me in every way from medical bills, insurance liens, med pay, demand letters, phone calls, emails etc. All I needed to do was send receipts, and most importantly focus on getting better. Thank u team for all u have done. I am grateful for so much,,, and I can say that making that first phone call was the best decision. Keep up the great work and helping others Sincerely KJJ

Michael Basti

2 years ago

I unfortunately got injured in an auto accident and called a bunch of different attorneys with little to no help. I called Sally Morin Law and got help from Rebecca who was absolutely fantastic. She was there every step of the way to help and Isn’t just trying to make a quick buck. She took her time with me and went out of her way to help out. Thanks for all the help Rebecca!!

Reba Roseberry

2 years ago

I was t-boned by someone who ran a red light, totaling my car and sending me to the hospital with multiple breaks to my pelvis, among other smaller injuries. Once released from the hospital, I was confused, angry, and extremely anxious about what to do next. A friend encouraged me to seek legal help, and I found the team at Sally Morin. I was drawn to their all-women team, and immediately felt assured that I was in good hands. They took the reigns on handling everything, leaving me significantly more relieved to rest and heal like my body needed. With their help, the case was settled within four months of the accident, and I can now move forward with my life and leave this behind me. I would absolutely recommend the team at Sally Morin to anyone in a similar situation!

John Zientek

2 years ago

I was injured while riding my bicycle and a friend recommended Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. In my experience, they made the process transparent and smooth, allowing me to focus on recovery — they were professional, empathetic, and effective! Rebecca and Carmen made a difficult time much less stressful.

Jimmy Lu

2 years ago

My mom was in a car accident and was badly injured. We wanted her to focus on her recovery without the worries of medical bills and dealing with multiple insurance companies so we hired Sally Morin Lawyers. Fortunately we received Annie Heller who showed strong ownership of the case, dealing with all communications from medical to slow moving insurance companies. Annie and team helped us settle the case with money in my mom’s pocket, but more importantly helped all of us not worry about anything besides my mom’s recovery. thank you!

Shannon Yu

2 years ago

Carmen and team at Sally Morin are the best. Having Carmen and her team for my personal injury case is one of the lucky thing for me in 2024 Carmen is a very capable law professional. she is expert in her domain, also she is very skillful in finding the key information. Carmen is also a compassionate and kind person, she listened and also put my interests in priority. At the same time she patiently explained to me the law information. Carmen is also very good with execution, the whole process she is proactively driving it towards the satisfactory result What more can you ask for a lawyer who is capable, professional, kind, effective and efficient.

Dee49ful

2 years ago

I was very fortunate that, by pure luck, I found Sally Morin’s firm online. It wasn’t recommended to me by anyone, but I now want to recommend them to EVERYONE, especially my fantastic attorney, Annie Heller. Annie was compassionate, honest, attentive, and responsive to my calls and emails. Throughout the entire process of my claim, I felt completely supported by her, and even after my case was successfully settled, she followed up with me. Thank you Annie, for your exceptional legal service!!

Lew Jabro (Havasu Lew)

3 years ago

Amazing! After months and months of going it alone and getting nowhere with our sons accident, and struggling...badly, we were lucky enough to get refered to Sally and Rebecca. They took over the whole case and handled everything. The whole team was very personable, professional, keeped us in the loop the entire time and cared about what was going on. They also set us up with all the right people to make sure the settlement funds were properly handled in the most efficient way for us. I just dont think we could have done all of this without them. It was a terrible time for our family, and we are very gratefull for everything they did for us! Thank you guys! ~HavasuLew

Kyle Osborn

3 years ago

Rebecca and the Sally Morin team provided invaluable support during a challenging period after our daughter was involved in a car accident. Their care, expertise, and dedication resulted in an outcome that exceeded our highest expectations. Working with them was a great experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone, without hesitation!

Alysia Lyons

3 years ago

I worked with Annie on my case and had such a pleasant experience! I felt supported and understood throughout the whole process. I highly recommend Sally Morin firm. Being injured isn't pleasant, so having a team behind you that's got your back makes the experience that much better.

Ariana D

3 years ago

I just spent the last 8 months working with a team of caring, compassionate, relatable women for my personal injury claim. Brief background: I was hit by a car while riding my bike to work. The driver pulled out of a parallel parking space without looking and was completely at fault. Initially, he and the others in the car were very concerned, but ghosted us afterwards and made up a story in order to not take on the blame. I ended up needing surgery and costs mounted, so I sought legal advice. After much research, I settled on Sally Morin Law. The team at this law firm is invested and responsive in a very personable way. I specifically worked with Carmen and Annie. Carmen took the lead and she answered every email, text, and annoying question my husband and I sent her way. She wrote a detailed demand letter that personalized my case and thoroughly explained the impact the accident had on my life, my children's lives, and my husband's life. In the end, our own insurance policy covered the claim to the fullest amount. Additionally, Carmen was able to negotiate the medical lien to $0, and my husband received a separate smaller amount for loss of consortium. We are more than happy with the results as it’s way beyond what we expected, and completely life changing. We didn't proceed with the case thinking we would have the outcome we did, and almost didn't pursue the case. However, after spending my own money on copays, days off from work, take out, uber rides, babysitters, and special equipment, it just didn't feel right not to seek help and I am so glad that I did! I highly recommend Sally Morin Law!

Simon Unge

3 years ago

Last year me and my partner was in a MC/Car accident. I was clueless on what rights we had and how to proceed with insurance claims etc. I contacted Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, who guided us through the year long process in a very pedagogical manner, a lot of support, expertise and professionalism - answering any questions we had in a timely manner. Highly recommended, they made a painful experience very manageable. Thank you, Rebecca, Carmen, and Amber!

    
 
 
       Posted on Yelp  
   
   Amy R. 
 
 
 
 Verified I can't recommend Rebecca at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers more highly. Rebecca is transparent, honest, and client-centered in a way that was completely different from the other firms I considered. Rebecca broke down what can feel like a very opaque process, and helped me understand my options in an approachable way. It was immediately clear that Rebecca's advice and guidance centered around my personal best interest, not what would make her firm the most money. Thanks Rebecca and team!
  
 
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   Mike B. 
 
 
 
 Verified I unfortunately got injured in an auto accident and called a bunch of different attorneys with little to no help. I called Sally Morin Law and got help from Rebecca who was absolutely fantastic. She was there every step of the way to help and Isn't just trying to make a quick buck. She took her time with me and went out of her way to help out. Thanks for all the help Rebecca!!
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Shannon Y. 
 
 
 
 Verified Carmen and team at Sally Morin are the best. Having Carmen and her team for my personal injury case is one of the lucky thing for me in 2024
Carmen is a very capable law professional. she is expert in her domain, also she is very skillful in finding the key information. 
Carmen is also a compassionate and kind person, she listened and also put my interests in priority. At the same time she patiently explained to me the law information.
Carmen is also very good with execution, the whole process she is proactively driving it towards the satisfactory result

What more can you ask for a lawyer who is capable, professional, kind, effective and efficient.
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Dinora G. 
 
 
 
 Verified I was very fortunate, and  by pure luck, I found Sally Morin's firm on YELP.  The firm wasn't recommended to me by anyone, but I now want to recommend them to EVERYONE, especially my fantastic attorney, Annie Heller.  Annie was compassionate, honest, attentive and very responsive to my calls and emails. Throughout the entire process of my claim, I felt completely supported and even after my case successfully settled, she followed up with me. Thank you Annie for your exceptional legal service.
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Phil M. 
 
 
 
 Verified Rebecca and the team at Sally Morin are awesome, plain and simple! Honestly, they were the only legal representation that didn't make me feel slimy after the first conversation. I was thrilled to work with them on my injury case after realizing it was more than I could handle dealing directly with the other party's insurance myself. They advocated for me and my family, going into incredible detail and crafting a great strategy for what to do next. The end result was a pleasant surprise, far exceeding my expectations.

Rebecca and the team definitely earn their share by providing amazing value. They're also no-pressure, which was refreshing compared to other lawyers I contacted before choosing Sally Morin. Their priority was making sure I was always informed and knew exactly what was going on, every step of the way.

If something happens again, Rebecca and Sally Morin will be my first call--and I'm sure there will be a multitude of emails to follow! :P
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Steve M. 
 
 
 
 Verified Attorneys Annie Levitt Heller and Carmen from Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers are the absolute best! They are dedicated, approachable and thorough in all their work. They provided the best possible outcome for my case (I was a pedestrian hit by a car in a crosswalk) and supportive every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers to anyone Forever grateful to them!
  
 
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   James Minh N. 
 
 
 
 Verified My sister got in a car accident, was hit badly by another driver, became unconscious, and was immediately taken to hospital emergency with an internal brain bleeding thus could not defend herself. As a result, the police report had false information from the other driver and concluded my sister at fault. While other legal firms purposed disappeared after seeing at the police report and other driver's cheap insurance policy (not easy win), Sally Morin team with great heart and "no win, no pay" written clause took on the case and successfully reversed both insurance + police reports and won the case. My family is grateful to find Sally Morin firm and great team with legal expertise, experience, and most important great heart. Thank you very much.
  
 
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   Tim K. 
 
 
 
 Verified Unfortunately me and my mom were hit by another driver on the freeway. We ended up with hospital bills and a long road to recovery especially for my 85 yr old mother. This was such a tragedy and uncertain times for us not knowing where to turn and what to do about mounting bills while trying to get our lives in order. I contacted Sally and her wonderful team. Carmen one of her associates worked with me and my mom and handled everything. Carmen was awesome and such a caring lawyer as well. She keeps
It real and we loved that about her. When you need a personal injury attorney that will work on handling your case in every aspect, insurance claims, potential health liens and negotiating on your behalf then Sally Morin Personal Injury law firm is the one to contact. You can count on them. Carmen explained everything so we knew what we were in for and was trustworthy and honest. There is no way to state how invaluable and priceless it is knowing the law firm you hired has your back and can be trusted. I hope no one ever needs a personal Injury attorney because being injured is one of the worst things that can happen to you; your life changes in an instant after a bad accident. But having a law firm like Sally Morin with lawyers like Carmen make that terrible experience much better knowing they are there to handle every aspect of your case and do it so well. Thanks Carmen and team. Much appreciated!
  
 
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   Stephan B. 
 
 
 
 Verified I originally reached out to a different law firm to handle my personal injury case, but Sally Morin's team (Rebecca Taylor in particular) left such a good impression on me that I switched to them--and I'm glad I did! They were empathetic and professional, communicated early and often, and patiently walked me through every option. They did thorough research and handled so much on their end that I was able to focus on my recovery/work/life with minimal disruption. So I highly recommend this firm.
  
 
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   Michele H. 
 
 
 
 Verified Word cannot express the honesty from Annie at Sally Morin law . She is honest kind and to the point . If you want to get ripped off by shady humans don't hire Annie . If you want honest kind and attentive go with Annie at Sally Morin law . You will feel good about your choice  . She is a firm advocate with insurance and health care .  Annie and her team will be available to explain things all the way through . Her integrity is not matched in this field . I would hire again and again 
Thanks Annie   You made one of the most difficult times in my families life tolerable !  
Your kindness and integrity are not matched in everyday life . Much less with  personal injury lawyers thank you thank you 
Michele Hargrove