PI practice depends on intake speed — first attorney to respond often wins the case. Vacation poses a unique problem: a hot lead during your absence can mean tens of thousands in lost fees. Here's the playbook.
PI attorneys need three layers during vacation: (1) intake routing to a covering attorney or screened intake service for new leads (every hour matters), (2) active case routing to covering counsel for time-sensitive deadlines (statute of limitations, demand letters, settlement negotiations), (3) client communication for plaintiffs in active cases who need reassurance. Most PI attorneys benefit from a paid intake service rather than a covering attorney for new leads.
Vacation is when most PI attorneys lose the most leads. Why: speed-to-lead is everything in PI marketing. A 4-hour delay can cost a 6-figure case.
The fix isn't 'don't take vacation.' It's separating intake (paid service handles) from active case work (covering attorney handles).
For new leads, options:
For existing clients:
Existing clients in active matters: personal call 1-2 weeks out. 'I'll be out [dates], [covering attorney] is handling urgent matters with full authority.'
Most PI clients are anxious — over-communicate, don't under-communicate.
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