Yes - because they know that they can make money out of it. Nowadays they will take a case on but with an insurance policy up front to cover the costs if they lose The premium is paid by the claimant and recovered from the defendant in the event of a win, so the solicitor has no outlay and is sure to get his costs, even if the claim is unsuccessful.

I suppose it's better than before the recent reforms when they could apply for legal aid for a client who qualified. That meant that, even if the claim was unsuccessful the defendant couldn't go after the claimant for costs, so it was policyholders in the insurance companies and the taxpayer who funded what could be quite mischievous claims. If you wonder why your motor premiums are so high I can tell you that the average LEGAL cost alone of an injury claim is about £2500, and that's before you look at the payment to the claimant.