Bend Personal Injury Attorney
Our Promise - You Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win Your Case!
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in Bend or anywhere in Central Oregon, 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 Bend personal injury attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss have represented injured Oregonians since 1962. Bend is our home and our headquarters. Our office at 1558 SW Nancy Way has served Deschutes County for decades. 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. You pay nothing unless we win.
Over 125 years of experience helping injured people across Oregon
More than $50 million recovered for clients in just the last three years
98% success rate on the cases we take
You pay nothing unless we win your case
Injured in an Accident? Get a Free Case Review
"We leave no stone unturned to get you the settlement you deserve." - Roy Dwyer
Why Injured People in Bend Choose a Local Firm
We are a law firm that wins!
We are not a Portland firm with a satellite address. Our attorneys live and work in Central Oregon. We know how cases move through the Deschutes County Circuit Court at 1100 NW Bond Street. We know the local adjusters. We know the doctors and specialists at St. Charles Bend, the only Level II trauma center east of the Cascades.
Local knowledge is more than convenience. It is leverage. When your case turns on proving how a specific Bend hazard caused your injury, attorneys who understand the roads, the seasons, 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.
$4.40
MILLION
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 Bend
Winter ice on US 97 and US 20 creates high-speed crashes that often involve commercial vehicles.
Tourist traffic through the Old Mill District, downtown Bend, and along Century Drive raises the risk of rear-end collisions and pedestrian injuries during peak seasons.
Mountain-bike and ski-area premises claims arise when trails, parking lots, or facilities are poorly maintained.
Construction zones tied to Bend’s rapid growth produce job-site and roadway hazards.
Rural two-lane roads around Sisters, Sunriver, and La Pine see head-on and run-off-road collisions that leave catastrophic injuries.
These are not generic accident cases. They require investigation that starts immediately and stays grounded in local conditions.
Cases Our Bend Injury Lawyers Handle
We represent people injured in:
• Car accidents on local roads and highways
• Semi-truck and commercial vehicle crashes on US 97 and US 20
• Motorcycle accidents on the Cascade Lakes Highway and rural routes
• Bicycle and pedestrian injuries in high-traffic areas
• Slip, trip, and fall claims on commercial or residential property
• Workplace and construction injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
If a negligent person, company, or public entity caused your injury in Deschutes, Crook, or Jefferson County, we can help.
What You Should Do After an Injury in Bend
Get medical care right away. St. Charles Bend at 2500 Northeast Neff Road is the region’s primary trauma center. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates the medical record your claim will depend on.
Many people feel fine right after a crash on Highway 97 or around Bend and only later develop neck pain, back pain, headaches, or dizziness. Even mild brain injuries can take hours or days to show. Getting checked early still matters.
Photograph the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries while details are still fresh. Get names and contact information for witnesses.
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 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 Bend 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.
How We Build Strong Claims in Deschutes County
We move quickly. We send preservation letters. We obtain police reports from the Bend Police Department or the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. We secure medical records from St. Charles and other providers. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts who understand Central Oregon roads and conditions.
Insurance companies often try to treat Bend cases like any other claim. We do not. We document the full impact: 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.
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 Bend frequently try to shift more blame onto injured drivers, especially on busy roads like Highway 97 or in construction zones. We push back on those efforts with evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a personal injury lawyer in Bend cost?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency. Our fee comes from the recovery we win for you. If we do not win, you owe us no attorney fee.
How much is my Bend injury case worth?
It depends on your medical bills, lost wages, future care needs, and the impact on your life. We give you an honest evaluation after reviewing the facts.
Do you only handle cases in Bend?
No. Our Bend office serves all of Central Oregon, including Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, La Pine, Prineville, and Madras. We also have five other offices across Oregon.
What if a government entity caused my injury?
Claims against public bodies require formal notice within 180 days under the Oregon Tort Claims Act. Missing that deadline can bar the claim entirely. Contact us as soon as possible if a city, county, or state agency may be involved.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle. Insurance companies pay full value only when they know your lawyers are prepared to try the case. Our attorneys are trial lawyers. Insurers know it.
What if I was partially at fault?
Oregon law still allows recovery if your fault is 50 percent or less. We will evaluate the evidence and explain how comparative negligence applies to your situation.
Can you meet me at the hospital or at home?
Yes. If you cannot come to our office, we will come to you.
Visit Our Bend Office
Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, PC 1558 SW Nancy Way, Suite 101 Bend, OR 97702 Phone: 541-617-0555
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.
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 Bend and across Central Oregon:
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 Bend or anywhere in Central Oregon, we would be honored to speak with you about your case.
Serving communities across Central Oregon:
Bend · Redmond · Sisters · La Pine · Sunriver · Terrebonne · Tumalo · Prineville · Madras · Culver · Warm Springs · Powell Butte · Black Butte Ranch · Camp Sherman · Brothers · Burns · Hines · John Day · Dayville · Mitchell · Fossil · Spray