If you’ve been injured and you’re thinking about calling a personal injury attorney, you might be wondering: What actually happens when I make that call?

At Dwyer Williams Cherkoss, we understand that reaching out to a law firm can feel intimidating. That’s why we want to demystify the process and give you a clear picture of what to expect from the moment you pick up the phone.

Step 1: A Real Person Answers the Phone

When you call us, you won’t be stuck in an endless phone tree or talking to an automated or AI system. You’ll be greeted by one of our full-time receptionists. Real people who are trained to listen, guide, and help you take the first step.

Our receptionist team is larger than most law firms because we believe the first interaction matters. They’ll take down your name, your contact information, and most importantly, why you’re calling. You’ll feel heard and respected from the very beginning.

Step 2: We Make Sure We’re the Right Fit

We specialize in personal injury law. That’s what we do, and we do it well. If your situation doesn’t fall into that category (for example, if you're seeking criminal defense or family law services), we’ll kindly let you know and may even suggest firms that are better suited to your needs.

But if your case involves a personal injury, whether it's from a car accident, a fall, or another form of negligence, we move to the next step.

Step 3: Conflict Check

Before going any further, we conduct a conflict of interest check. This ensures that we’re not already representing the other party in your case or otherwise tied to them in a way that would compromise our ability to represent you.

To do this, we’ll ask for the name and details of the at-fault party so we can make sure we’re ethically clear to move forward. It’s a crucial step to ensure fairness and integrity in every case we take.

Step 4: A DWC Attorney Personally Reviews Your Case

DWC is not a high-volume mill firm with dozens of anonymous lawyers. We’re a small, experienced team, and that’s intentional. Once your conflict check is cleared, one of our five attorneys (yes, one of our lawyers, not a third-party intake team) will reach out to you directly.

We’ll have a deeper conversation about your situation:

• What happened?
• Where did it happen?
• What injuries have you sustained?
• Do you have any supporting photos, documentation, or police reports?
• What type of medical treatment have you undergone?  
• What have your doctors told you as to the plan ahead?
• Have you lost wages or suffered other types of economic harm over and above your medical expenses?

We’ll even use tools like Google Earth to review the scene of the accident with you, either in person or via video call. This kind of detailed attention helps us understand the context and build a strong foundation for your case.

Step 5: Evaluating the Strength of the Case

Before we sign any paperwork, we do our homework. We look at three major legal questions:

1. Liability: Can we prove the other party was legally at fault?
2. Causation: Did the incident cause the injuries you're experiencing?
3. Damages: Are there medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering that create meaningful value in the case?

If we believe your claim meets these criteria and that we can genuinely help, we’ll offer to take your case. But if we think there’s not enough to support a successful claim, we’ll explain why. Honesty is key.

Step 6: Signing You On as a Client

If you agree to move forward, we’ll provide a straightforward fee agreement. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. No upfront fees, no hourly billing, no surprises.

Once signed, we begin immediately:

• Requesting your medical records
• Notifying insurance carriers of our representation
• Aggressively gathering key evidence
• Begin preparing your case for negotiation or trial, if necessary

We stay in regular contact, keep you updated on every major development, and make sure you always know where your case stands.

Why It Matters Who You Call

Not all law firms handle intake this way. Some firms outsource your initial call to third-party services. Others push you into a system where you rarely speak to an actual attorney. We believe that’s not how legal representation should work.

When you call us, you’re not just another file. You’re a person who deserves real attention, real answers, and a real lawyer.

What Happens If We Can’t Take the Case?

Sometimes, we’re just not the right fit. Maybe your case falls outside our area of practice, or maybe the evidence just isn’t strong enough to move forward. Even in those cases, we still try to help. We’ll let you know why, suggest your next steps, and refer you to someone we trust if possible.

We don’t take every case, and we never will. But when we do take a case, we fight for it like it’s our own.

Call Us With Confidence

Calling a lawyer shouldn’t be scary. We’re here to give honest answers, listen to your story, and guide you in the right direction. Whether we end up representing you or not, we’ll always treat you with respect and transparency.

If you’ve been hurt and you’re unsure what to do next, call Dwyer Williams Cherkoss today at (541) 617-0555. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win.

You’ve got questions. We’ve got your back.