Award-Winning Portland Injury Attorneys
Serving Multnomah County and the Portland metro area since 1962
Portland Personal Injury Attorney
Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, PC
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in Portland or anywhere in the metro area, the days that follow can feel overwhelming. Medical bills start arriving. Work stops. Pain and uncertainty become part of daily life. Insurance adjusters begin calling, often with offers that fall far short of what you actually need.
You do not have to face this alone.
Our Portland personal injury attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss have represented injured Oregonians since 1962. Our office at 111 SW Columbia Street has long served Multnomah County and the greater Portland area. In the past three years alone, our firm has recovered more than $50 million for injured clients across Oregon, handled more than 650 personal injury cases, and maintained a 98 percent success rate. Your consultation is free.
Injured in an Accident? Get a Free Case Review
“I don’t sleep well at night because I care about my clients. That care is what drives us. When someone is hurt and facing the worst part of their life, our job is to stand with them, fight for them, and help them get back to the life they deserve.”
— Tim Williams
Why Injured People in Portland Choose a Local Firm
We are a law firm that wins!
We are not an out-of-state firm with a satellite address. Our attorneys live and work in the Portland metro area. We know how cases move through the Multnomah County Circuit Court at 1200 SW 1st Avenue. We know the local adjusters. We know the doctors and specialists at OHSU and Legacy Emanuel, Portland’s Level I trauma centers.
Local knowledge is more than convenience. It is leverage. When your case turns on proving how a specific Portland hazard caused your injury, attorneys who understand the roads, the bridges, the traffic patterns, and the court system can build a stronger claim from the first day.
We know that being seriously injured affects more than just your physical health. It can impact your ability to work, support your family, and enjoy daily life. Our goal is to help you get the compensation you need so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
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Semi-Truck Collision
$2.40
MILLION
Snowmobile Accident
$2.35
MILLION
T-bone Collision
$2.00
MILLION
Head-On Collision
$1.00
MILLION
Sex Abuse Settlement
Local Hazards That Lead to Serious Injuries in Portland
I-5, I-405, and the Freeway System
Portland’s freeways carry heavy commercial and commuter traffic. High speeds, complex interchanges, and frequent congestion create conditions that often lead to serious multi-vehicle and semi-truck crashes.
Powell Boulevard, Burnside, and 82nd Avenue
These corridors consistently rank among Portland’s highest-crash streets. Fast-moving traffic mixed with frequent pedestrian and bicycle activity produces a high rate of serious injuries.
Bridges and the Willamette River Crossings
Portland’s bridges see constant vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. Limited space, weather-related slick conditions, and sudden stops increase the risk of serious collisions.
Barbur Boulevard and Southwest Arterials
Barbur Boulevard and other southwest corridors combine higher speeds with limited visibility and complex intersections. These conditions regularly contribute to severe crashes.
Construction Zones Across the Metro Area
Ongoing road and transit projects create shifting lanes, uneven surfaces, and reduced visibility. Both drivers and workers face elevated risk of serious injury in these active zones.
These are not generic accident cases. They require investigation that starts immediately and stays grounded in local conditions.
Cases Our Portland Injury Lawyers Handle
What You Should Do After an Injury in Portland
Get medical care right away. Portland is home to two Level I trauma centers: OHSU and Legacy Emanuel. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates the medical record your claim will depend on.
Many people feel fine right after a crash on I-5, I-405, Powell Boulevard, Burnside, or the bridges and only later develop neck pain, back pain, headaches, or dizziness. Even mild brain injuries can take hours or days to appear. Getting checked early still matters.
Photograph the scene, vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries while the details are still fresh. Get names and contact information for witnesses. If you are able, write down what you remember as soon as possible.
Report vehicle crashes to police. For many collisions you must also file an Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Report with the Oregon DMV within 72 hours. Missing that deadline can create problems later.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Early statements are often used to minimize or deny claims.
Under Oregon law you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim (ORS 12.110). Claims against public bodies, such as the City of Portland, Multnomah County, or the State of Oregon, require formal notice under the Oregon Tort Claims Act within just 180 days (ORS 30.275). Evidence disappears far faster than either deadline. Early legal guidance protects both your health and your claim.
How We Build Strong Claims in Multnomah County
We move quickly. We send preservation letters so key evidence is not lost. We obtain police reports from the Portland Police Bureau or the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. We secure medical records from OHSU, Legacy Emanuel, and other providers. When the facts require it, we work with accident reconstruction experts who understand Portland’s freeways, bridges, high-crash corridors, and complex traffic patterns.
Insurance companies often try to treat Portland cases like any other claim. We do not. We document the full impact of the injury: medical bills, future medical needs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment when it exists. The goal is always the same. To make sure the financial burden does not fall on the injured person and their family.
Compensation Available in an Oregon Personal Injury Claim
Economic damages cover medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering and the ways the injury has changed daily life. In the most serious cases, compensation can include permanent impairment or the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death claim.
Oregon’s modified comparative negligence rule (ORS 31.600) allows recovery even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share is 50 percent or less. Insurance companies in Portland frequently try to shift more blame onto injured people, especially on busy corridors like I-5, Powell Boulevard, Burnside, or in construction zones. We push back on those efforts with evidence and a clear presentation of the facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a personal injury lawyer in Portland cost?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee basis. Our fee comes only from the recovery we obtain for you. If we do not recover compensation, you owe us no attorney fee. This arrangement is standard for personal injury cases in Oregon and allows injured people in Portland and the metro area to hire experienced trial lawyers without paying anything while their case is pending.
How much is my Portland injury case worth?
There is no fixed or average amount. The value depends on the full impact of your injury, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and any permanent impairment. Insurance companies often undervalue these losses early. We review the medical evidence, liability facts, available insurance coverage, and how the injury has affected your daily life in Portland, then give you a clear and honest evaluation based on your specific situation.
Do you only handle cases in Portland?
No. Our Portland office serves Multnomah County and the greater metro area, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, and many surrounding communities. We also have additional offices across Oregon.
What if a government entity caused my injury?
Claims against public bodies such as the City of Portland, Multnomah County, or the State of Oregon are governed by the Oregon Tort Claims Act. You must give formal written notice of the claim within 180 days of the injury (ORS 30.275). Missing this deadline can permanently bar the claim. Contact us as soon as possible if a government entity may be involved so the notice can be properly prepared and delivered.
What if I was injured on a Portland bridge or high-crash corridor?
Portland’s bridges and high-crash corridors such as Powell Boulevard, Burnside, and 82nd Avenue see a high volume of serious collisions involving vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. These cases often involve complex liability issues. We investigate the specific conditions, traffic patterns, and available evidence carefully and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle. Insurance companies, however, routinely offer less when they believe the injured person’s lawyers are unprepared or unwilling to go to trial. Our attorneys are trial lawyers. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, and insurers know it. That preparation is often what produces full and fair settlements.
What if I was partially at fault?
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule (ORS 31.600). You can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover. Insurance companies in Portland frequently try to shift more blame onto injured people. We examine the evidence carefully and push back against unfair fault allocations.
Can you meet me at the hospital or at home?
Yes. If you cannot come to our office because of your injuries, we will come to you at the hospital, a rehabilitation facility, or your home.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Oregon?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (ORS 12.110). Claims against government entities have the additional 180-day notice requirement under the Oregon Tort Claims Act. Evidence can disappear quickly, so earlier action is always better.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. These statements are often used later to minimize or deny claims. Speak with an attorney before providing any statement.
What compensation can I recover in an Oregon personal injury case?
You may be able to recover economic damages (medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). In the most serious cases, compensation for permanent impairment or wrongful death may also be available.
Visit Our Portland Office
Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, PC
111 SW Columbia Street, Suite 710
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503-688-5005
Free case evaluation available 24/7. We are ready when you are.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Reach out today. The consultation is free. We only get paid if we win for you. You can focus on healing. We will focus on fighting for the full compensation and justice you deserve.
Contact us now. We are ready to listen, ready to investigate, and ready to stand with you every step of the way.
Highly recommend.
I have been a lawyer for 14 years. Over the years, I have had numerous tough personal injury cases. I brought Tim Williams in on many of them because of his expertise in personal injury. He knows this area of law inside and out. His reputation in Oregon is second to none and he is a pleasure to work with. Each one of those cases resulted in a positive financial outcome for the client. Highly recommend.
- Andrew M.
Like I had a big brother looking out for me
I was injured in an automobile accident and needed legal assistance. I met with Tim Williams, he answered all my questions and took charge of the case. He was very professional and made me feel like I had a big brother looking out for me. I received a very fair settlement due to all of Tim's hard work and I would recommend him to anyone I cared about.
- Mike R.
Friendly and easy to work with
The attorneys and staff are very professional, friendly and easy to work with. I appreciated their prompt responses and attention to my concerns.
- Julie G.
This firm is amazing!
This firm is amazing! Warm friendly and on it. They do all the leg work, keep you updated. They got me more than I ever could have imagined. They were truly a blessing in my life. I may be scared a little deformed now, but I can live with it for what my settlement is taking care of. Ty to Dwyer Williams and associate s. Especially Tim Williams, Cindy, and Kelsie. Hugz
- Darlyn B.
Went the extra mile
Tim was excellent to work with. At one point during the process of my case, things did not go as planned. Tim went the extra mile and reached out when it mattered the most. I will always appreciate him for that.
- Debbera W.
A lifesaver
The people are so helpful and understanding. I really recommend going here. I was in a rollover car accident and had to be air-flighted. Since then I've had so much medical care and problems. Dwyer Williams has been a lifesaver. Thanks to all the staff keeping me updated and checking up on me, the case was settled and now I'm back to myself again. Thank you Dwyer team!
- Jasmine H.
I would highly recommend
The service I received was excellent and I would highly recommend the attorneys at this firm. Thank you for your outstanding work, I greatly appreciate your help and counsel through the aftermath of my auto accident.
- Lana D.
What Sets Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys Apart
Not every personal injury firm is the same. When you’ve been seriously injured, it matters who you choose to stand with you. Here’s what sets our firm apart for people in Portland and across the metro area:
Experienced trial lawyers who know how to win
Our attorneys have been fighting for injured people in Oregon since 1962. Each of our partners has at least 10 to 20 years of experience handling complex personal injury cases. Over that time, we’ve gone up against some of the largest insurance and transportation companies in the country. We prepare every case thoroughly, whether it settles or goes to trial.
Strong results for our clients
Results matter. In just the past three years, our team has recovered more than $50 million for injured clients, with a 98% success rate on the cases we take. We have secured numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, they show the level of work we bring to every case.
Recognized by our peers
Our attorneys have earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible peer review rating in the legal profession. We have been recognized in Best Lawyers in Oregon and as Oregon Super Lawyers. We are also members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an invitation-only group for attorneys who have obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
Big firm resources with personal attention
We have the resources and experience of a larger firm, but we still treat every client like a person, not a file. When you work with us, you’ll have direct access to your attorneys and a team that keeps you informed throughout the process. Many of our clients tell us they appreciated how responsive and caring our entire staff was during what was often one of the hardest times in their lives.
If you’ve been injured in Portland or anywhere in the metro area, we would be honored to speak with you about your case.