Personal Injury Attorneys: Getting What You Deserve

After A Personal Injury IME: Fighting Back

28 April 2021

Laurie Flores

To be compensated for the way a careless driver has impacted your life, you might need to take legal action. Doing so can make the difference in a paltry sum from the insurer and the fair compensation you really deserve. Part of the legal process can involve taking part in an independent medical examination (IME). Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned with an IME. Read on and find why and how you should fight back against that bad IME result.

Why Are the Results of an IME So Important?

The state of your medical health is of prime importance after an accident, and it's partially because of something called pain and suffering. Accident victims can be paid for their pain and suffering and one way of calculating how much they are paid is by using the dollar amount charged for their medical treatment. Additionally, future medical needs are sometimes part of a complete compensation package. With that in mind, an IME may be meant to answer some or all of the below questions:

1. Are the injuries the result of a previous accident, or illness (preexisting conditions)?
2. Are the injuries now stable, or is the victim still recovering?
3. Are the injuries expected to heal in the near future, or will the victim need more treatment in the future? If so, how much treatment?
4. Are the treatment costs incurred so far in line with the medical status? Was such treatment warranted given the current state of the victim's health?

What Happens At An IME?

If you have been asked to participate in an IME, you can consider that a sign of problems to come. The other side will only ask for such an exam if they doubt your medical health, lost wages, or pain and suffering claims. This is no time to go without a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can provide guidance on how to conduct yourself at an IME and what to do when things don't go as expected. An IME is not like an ordinary exam. They are conducted by a doctor of the insurer's choosing and that sets up an adversarial situation. You can expect to be questioned about the accident, your injuries, the medical treatments you've had, and your current level of pain and discomfort.

The Results Are In

Don't despair if you and your lawyer don't agree with the IME results. You have a right to another exam conducted by a doctor of your own choosing. Don't allow the other driver's insurer to take over and make your decisions. Speak to a personal injury lawyer and assert your rights to compensation. Get paid what you deserve – speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a personal injury lawyer in your area for more information.

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