Imagine being subject to a lawsuit. Do you think "oh, I'm not going", "I'm not talking about it", "nothing's going to happen", "ignore the process server"? Then you've been watching to much TV and Movies and assume the worst. If you get stressed out by the notion of a lawsuit, you are a weak fool and you are subject to fines and a jail cell potentially even criminal charges. "Friends" who encourage this behavior are not friends and are not looking out for your best interests.
It will never be a good idea to ignore legitimate notices, court papers and court orders just because you don't like lawsuits. Lawsuits are a method of dispute resolution subject to laws of jurisdiction. Typically arising out of failed dispute resolution outside of it.
If you do not subject yourself to resolving a dispute outside of litigation, assuming you are the defendant, then if the plaintiff if they have a convincing story then you will absolutely lose. It is best to resolve outside of litigation. It is best to not even get to the point of having papers filed against you.
If you do not accept court papers, you will be subject to default judgement. A process server helps you get the message to ready up your defenses. Accepting court papers means you must gather your legal defense. If you have little to no defense, you will more than likely lose. Why would you be stupid enough not to accept court papers as early as possible? The case will go on without you, you are not important.
If you do not follow court orders especially upon receiving court papers that order you to do something, you will be found in contempt of court subject to far more complications outside of judgement including sanctions, warrants and jail. You have something to lose? Follow orders.
When court papers are filed and you are a defendant, it's on your permanent record along with any claims and numbers that anyone can research. Court costs will be charged against you if you lose so you will end up with more money to pay.
Imagine that, you assume the worst of dispute resolution and now you are in more trouble than you thought because you wanted to play chicken. Be an adult and take care of business. Settle unless you actually want to gamble, have evidence for your defense and can get a lawyer to assist you and verify the papers if you don't believe you are the subject.
If it's a criminal case, it is more aggressive and you are f**ked if you don't take care of business.
Obviously, the article context is a person being a defendant. A plaintiff has an interest in the case already that's why the lawsuit exists, so it doesn't make much sense to talk about the plaintiff.