What Is an Independent Medical Exam (IME) and Do You Have to Attend?

After filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may receive a letter from the insurance company asking you to see a doctor you’ve never met. After weeks or months of treatment with your own providers, the request can feel confusing and unsettling. This appointment, known as an independent medical exam, can significantly affect your case, but a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer can help you prepare.

What Is an Independent Medical Exam?

An independent medical exam (IME) is an evaluation conducted by a doctor with no prior relationship to you. Insurance companies and defense attorneys typically select and pay the physician, which leads many injury victims to question how independent the exam truly is. The doctor reviews your records, examines you, and writes a report containing opinions about your condition.

Why Do Insurance Companies Request an IME?

Insurers use these exams to evaluate the injuries you’ve reported. The resulting report can shape how much the company offers or whether it pays at all. The IME doctor may be asked to weigh in on questions such as:

• Whether the accident caused your injuries
• Whether your treatment was reasonable and necessary
• Whether you’ve reached maximum medical improvement
• Whether you can return to work
• Whether you have a permanent impairment

Are You Required to Attend an IME?

In many situations, you are required to attend an IME. If you are seeking personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under your car insurance, the policy likely requires your cooperation, which can include attending an IME. Once a lawsuit is filed, Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 35 allows a court to order an exam when your physical or mental condition is in dispute.

If you refuse to attend an IME under these conditions, you can put your claim at risk. In a no-fault claim, your insurer may treat the refusal as a breach of your policy and suspend or deny your PIP benefits. In a lawsuit, ignoring a court-ordered exam can lead to sanctions.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company requests an IME before a lawsuit is filed, you likely have no obligation to attend. You have no contract with that insurer, and no court has ordered the exam. An attorney can advise you on whether a request is valid and, if it is, help negotiate reasonable terms.

What to Expect During an Independent Medical Exam

Most IMEs are shorter than a typical doctor’s visit. The physician will likely ask about your medical history, how the accident happened, and your current symptoms before performing a physical exam. Anything you say or do, from the waiting room onward, may appear in the report.

A little preparation can help you avoid common mistakes. During the exam, keep these tips in mind:

• Arrive on time with a valid ID
• Answer the doctor’s questions honestly and briefly
• Describe your pain accurately, without exaggerating or downplaying it
• Disclose prior injuries if asked
• Avoid discussing who was at fault for the accident or the compensation you hope to recover

Protect Your Claim with a Utah Personal Injury Attorney

An IME report can influence the value of your case, and insurers know it. When the doctor’s conclusions conflict with your treating physicians’, a lawyer can challenge the findings, gather additional medical evidence, and push back against an unfair denial.

Guidance before the appointment can also help you walk in prepared and confident. If you’ve been asked to attend an IME, contact a Salt Lake City accident attorney to schedule a free consultation and protect your claim.