Most people imagine that calling a lawyer works like a movie scene: You give them a quick rundown of what happened, they nod confidently, and say,
“Yes. We’ll take your case.”
Reality?
Not even close.
In California, attorneys evaluate cases with the precision of a surgeon — carefully, methodically, and with a checklist in their heads — and rarely show clients. The truth is, many strong cases get overlooked simply because people don’t understand how lawyers decide what’s “worth pursuing”… and many weak cases get declined for reasons that have nothing to do with the person calling.
Let’s break down exactly how lawyers think, what they look for, and how to know whether your case has real legal potential.
The First Thing Lawyers Listen For in a Case Review
If you’ve ever had that first consultation call, you’ve probably heard the lawyer pause, ask a few very specific questions, and then fall silent as they “evaluate.”
What are they evaluating?
According to legal analysis, attorneys look for three core things:
- Legal grounds
- Evidence supporting those grounds
- Actual damages suffered
It’s not emotional.
It’s not personal.
It’s structural.
A lawyer wants to know: “Did something happen that the law recognizes, and can I prove it with the information provided?”
If the answer is unclear, the evaluation continues — deeper than most people realize.
What Attorneys Examine First: Liability, Damages, and Causation
Liability: Who’s Actually at Fault?
No case succeeds without establishing fault.
California uses comparative negligence, meaning multiple people can share blame — and your compensation changes accordingly.
If the lawyer can’t identify a clear at-fault party, or it looks like your responsibility outweighs theirs, the case weakens fast.
Damages: Was There Meaningful Harm?
You could have the clearest liability in the world…
But without measurable damages, the case isn’t viable.
Research highlights that the biggest drivers of case value include:
- Verified medical bills
- Documented injuries
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
If the client says, “I hurt my back, but I didn’t go to a doctor.”
That’s a problem.
Causation: Can We Connect A to B?
Attorneys must prove that the injury was caused directly by the event in question.
If the evidence creates doubt, causation becomes the battleground.
Evidence: The Backbone of Case Strength
Lawyers are evidence-driven, not story-driven.
Here is evidence that attorneys mostly rely on-
- Photos
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Documents showing financial loss
No evidence = no case.
What Makes a Case “Worth Pursuing” (According to California Attorneys)
Behind the scenes, lawyers mentally use a checklist to decide whether a case is financially and legally worth taking.
A case is worth pursuing when:
- Liability is clear
- Damages are significant
- Evidence is strong
- The defendant has insurance or the ability to pay
- California’s statute of limitations hasn’t expired
- There’s a realistic chance of a settlement
And here’s a surprisingly hopeful statistic:
90–95% of California personal injury cases settle before trial, and plaintiffs win roughly half the cases that do go to trial.
Lawyers keep this in mind when evaluating case value — because a winnable settlement matters just as much as a winnable trial.
Why Lawyers Decline Cases (Even Good Ones)
It’s not personal. It’s logistics.
Common decline reasons:
- The damages are too small
- No medical documentation
- Liability is unclear
- Defendant has no insurance
- There’s no link between accident and injury
- The filing deadline has passed
It doesn’t mean you weren’t wronged — it means the case isn’t legally viable.
How Lawyers Decide the Value of Your Case (Not Just Its Worthiness)
Once a lawyer decides your case is legally viable, they evaluate the financial value.
According to legal guidance from professional Injury Attorneys, case value depends on:
- Medical costs
- Estimated future treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term consequences
Lawyers also weigh:
- Jury trends in California counties
- Prior verdicts in similar cases
- Settlement ranges for comparable injuries
A sprained wrist might be low-value.
A spinal injury with long-term therapy? High-value.
When Lawyers Bring in Experts
Some cases require specialists such as:
- Accident reconstructionists
- Medical experts
- Economists
- Vocational injury analysts
These experts help strengthen causation, damages, and the projected financial impact of the case.
Expert testimony often dramatically increases case value.
Why Some Lawyers Take Cases Others Reject
Here’s something most clients don’t realize:
Not all lawyers evaluate cases the same way.
Some prefer high-value catastrophic injuries.
Some specialize in complex or disputed liability cases.
Some accept cases only with certain damage thresholds.
And some attorneys see potential hidden between the lines.
A seasoned attorney like lawyer George Mkrtchyan, Esq. can sometimes spot strengths in a case that others overlook — because experience sharpens judgment. What may look “weak” at first glance can become strong with the right legal strategy.
Common Questions California Clients Ask About Case Evaluation
1. How do I know if my case is worth pursuing?
- If you have clear damages, evidence, and someone who may be legally responsible, you likely have a viable claim.
2. What documents should I bring to a lawyer?
- Medical records, bills, photos, police reports, witness information, and proof of financial loss.
3. Do California lawyers offer free case evaluations?
- Yes, many attorneys do free consultations to determine case viability.
4. Can a lawyer take my case if the damages are small?
- Often no. Lawyers weigh the cost of litigation against potential recovery.
5. How long does a case evaluation take?
- Anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks, depending on complexity and evidence.
6. Why would a lawyer reject my case?
- Weak evidence, unclear liability, low damages, no insurance coverage, or expired deadlines.
What California Drivers Should Do Before Calling a Lawyer
Many people lose strong cases simply because they weren’t prepared when they first spoke to an attorney.
Here’s how to tilt the evaluation in your favor:
- Gather every document tied to the incident
- Photograph injuries, damage, and the scene
- Keep all medical records and receipts
- Track missed work and wage loss
- Write a timeline of what happened
- Don’t talk to insurance companies without guidance
- Contact a lawyer early — the clock matters
A case doesn’t need to be perfect — it needs to be evaluated correctly.
The right lawyers won’t just look at what happened… They’ll look at what can be proven, what can be recovered, and what your story is truly worth under California law.
If you believe your case has merit, don’t assume its value — get it evaluated.
Your future compensation may depend on that first conversation.