In car accidents, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may demand an independent medical examination (IME) if they doubt your personal injury claim. This is to be anticipated. Nevertheless, you have to be cautious about the medical examination. Since the insurer can select the doctor who examines you, the medical report may lean in the insurer’s favor. Here are some steps you can take to support your personal injury case.
Check the background of the doctor
You can inquire about your doctor’s qualifications by requesting their CV from the insurer. From the CV, you can check if they have the required qualifications to assess your situation. For instance, if a psychiatrist is going to assess your spinal injury, you can object to the examination. Keep in mind, however, that all the communications should be in writing. It is best practice to employ a personal injury attorney to do it for you.
Be polite and cooperative
The IME doctor may take detailed notes about your interaction with them. Make sure your conduct does not convey the wrong message. Be honest and comply with whatever procedures the doctor may guide you to follow. It can be helpful to make a favorable impression.
Be careful with your words
Statements made during the examination are usually noted down by your doctor. The insurer may use them to reject your insurance claim. Avoid oversharing and stick to details pertaining to your accident injuries. Similarly, your account must be consistent across your deposition, interviews and other reports.
Beware of symptoms from pre-existing conditions
The insurance company may declare all your current symptoms as pre-existing if you are not careful. In order to safeguard yourself from this, clearly differentiate between your pre-existing and your post-accident symptoms. If the accident has aggravated your pre-existing symptoms in any way, convey it to the doctor in clear terms. Most importantly, a detailed discussion with a personal injury attorney can make you better prepared for the examination.
Discuss with a personal injury attorney before your IME
An independent medical examination can be tricky and has a lot of nuances that you may not expect. In order to learn the possible pitfalls ahead, a detailed discussion with an attorney could prove helpful.